Using Telemedicine for Pediatric Preanesthesia Evaluation: A Pilot Project

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to implement using telemedicine for pediatric preanesthesia evaluation and to evaluate patient and provider satisfaction.

Design: This is a nonrandomized prospective evidence-based practice project.

Methods: Pediatric patients were nonrandomly recruited to receive preanesthesia evaluation by telemedicine. Patients, parents, and providers completed a 5-point Likert scale satisfaction survey after the encounter.

Findings: Overall satisfaction with using telemedicine was very high for both patients, parents, and providers, with an overall mean Likert scale score of 4.63 for patients and parents, and 4.67 for providers.

Conclusions: This project provides evidence in support of using telemedicine in the setting of pediatric preanesthesia evaluation. Using telemedicine has the potential to improve patient outcomes by improving the patient-provider relationship and increasing access to care.

Keywords: anesthesia; pediatric; preadmission; preanesthesia; telemedicine.