Telemonitoring of Neonatal Intensive Care Units: Preliminary Experience in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

Objective This article describes the implementation and functioning of a telemonitoring center of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) organized by the Telehealth Center of the Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais who signed an agreement with the Minas Gerais State Department of Health (SES/MG, in Portuguese), Brazil.

Study Design This is a descriptive retrospective study from December 2012 to June 2014 of a NICU telemonitoring project.

Results Twelve Web conferences have been performed. Six thousand, eight hundred and thirty nine (6,839) online teleconsultations of pediatricians and nurses with experience in neonatology and intensive care have been performed, of which 174 were with subspecialists, with an average response time of 6 hours.

Discussion The project has demonstrated to be satisfactory, with fast response in relation to the demands of subspecialists, promoting care, and management support to the NICU. The qualification via Web conferences prevents the displacement of the professionals to big centers for continuous medical education.

Conclusion The telemonitoring of NICU can contribute in the process of management, regulation of beds, reduction of displacements and transferences, adhesion to best practices, care support, and qualification of the involved professionals.

Keywords

telemedicine - intensive care units - neonatal - teleconsultation - medical education

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