How telemedicine integrated into China's anti-COVID-19 strategies: case from a National Referral Center. Issue 3 (23rd August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Peiyi; Liu, Xiaoyu; Mason, Elizabeth; Hu, Guangyu; Zhou, Yongzhao; Li, Weimin; Jalali, Mohammad S
• Is Part Of: BMJ health & care informatics. Volume 27:Issue 3(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08-23
• Subjects: BMJ health informatics -- health care; Medical informatics -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Information storage and retrieval systems -- Medical care -- Periodicals; Primary care (Medicine) -- Great Britain -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 362.10285
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjhci-2020-100164
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2632-1009

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: We present the integration of telemedicine into the healthcare system of West China Hospital of Sichuan University (WCH), one of the largest hospitals in the world with 4300 inpatient beds, as a means for maximising the efficiency of healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Implemented on 22 January 2020, the telemedicine technology allowed WCH providers to conduct teleconsultations, telerounds, teleradiology and tele-intensive care unit, which in culmination provided screening, triage and treatment for COVID-19 and other illnesses. To encourage its adoption, the government and the hospital publicised the platform on social media and waived fees. Discussion: From 1 February to 1 April 2020, 10557 online COVID-19 consultations were conducted for 6662 individuals; meanwhile, 32676 patients without COVID completed virtual follow-ups. We discuss that high-quality, secure, affordable and user-friendly telemedical platforms should be integrated into global healthcare systems to help decrease the transmission of the virus and protect healthcare providers from infection.