Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study addresses the effect of the installation and use of a telecardiology system on the intensive care length of stay of very low birthweight (VLBW) newborn infants. DESIGN: A retrospective comparison of 314 VLBW infants admitted to one of two neonatal intensive care units for a three year period from calendar years 1994 through 1996. A regression model was constructed to predict the intensive care length of stay while controlling for known risk factors. RESULTS: Telemedicine's effect is to reduce the intensive care length of stay and it both statistically significant (p < 0.05) and practically significant, reducing the intensive care length of stay by over 17%. The reduction in length of stay is greater at lower birthweights. CONCLUSIONS: Under the circumstances present in this study, telemedicine has been an effective intervention to reduce the intensive care length of stay.
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Selected References
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