The American Telemedicine Association has released its updated guidelines for the effective, sustainable and safe use of telemedicine in intensive care units.
Divided into administrative, clinical and technical guidelines, the document stresses the need for both strong leadership and a clear tele-ICU strategy as well as constant vigilance to ensure the technology is being used in a way that enhances, rather than risks, patient safety.
Tele-ICU technology is currently being used in about 13 percent of ICU beds across the country, according to the New England Healthcare Institute. This number is expected to grow, as tele-ICU programs prove to be effective both in terms of cost savings and patient outcomes.
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