Telemedicine as a Medical Examination Tool During the Covid-19 Emergency: The Experience of the Onco-Haematology Center of Tor Vergata Hospital in Rome

Massimiliano Postorino, Michele Treglia, Jacopo Giammatteo, Margherita Pallocci, Giulia Petroni, Giuseppe Quintavalle, Ombretta Picchioni, Maria Cantonetti and Luigi Tonino Marsella
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Massimiliano Postorino: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Michele Treglia: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Jacopo Giammatteo: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Margherita Pallocci: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Giulia Petroni: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Giuseppe Quintavalle: Local Public Health Unit ASL Roma 4, Civitavecchia, 00053 Rome, Italy
Ombretta Picchioni: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Maria Cantonetti: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Luigi Tonino Marsella: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-9

Abstract: Background: Our study analysed the outpatient activity of the onco-hematology Complex Operative Unit (UOC) of Tor Vergata Hospital, Rome coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) center, where, as a result of the sudden and unexpected emergency, healthcare services were provided through telemedicine procedures that can be considered very close to Telehealth. Aim of the study: our retrospective study aimed to assess the widespread use of telemedicine in terms of feasibility and safety related to adverse events, a crucial experience which will make it possible to predict any effective use of such a method in patients with hematological disorders even after the end of the Covid-19 emergency. Materials and methods: At the Day Hospital clinic, from 8 March to 31 May 2020, an outpatient group received 3828 medical teleconsultations and 11,484 additional contacts following the first examination; each patient examined through the telematic method required an average of three supplementary contacts via e-mail or telephone. Results: The follow-up lasted 145 days, and all the events that occurred were monitored. In total, we recorded 16 clinical adverse events, 5 of which classified as major events, and 11 as minor events. Conclusion: The 3828 telematic clinical examinations and the 11,484 additional contacts following the first examination carried out by the onco-haematology UOC of Tor Vergata Hospital, proved how telemedicine, albeit in its basic form, was a key tool in facing the sanitary emergency caused by the sudden spread of Covid-19. An experience that can be considered reliable enough to be replicated in possible post-Covid-19 emergencies. From a medical forensic point of view, the main issues to consider are informed consent, personal data management and professional responsibility profiles.

Keywords: telemedicine; COVID-19; onco-haematology; ethics; legal medicine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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