Telecar: an Italian telecardiology project

Abstract

The Telecar (tele-assistance cardiology) project was an example of tele-assistance between health centres of the Regione Lazio in Italy. The project was approved by the Ministry of Health, financed with 500,000,000 lire and carried out by an operative station within 'La Sapienza' University (Rome). About 40 of the health centres in Lazio that did not have cardiologists or electrocardiography (ECG) equipment were provided with telematic instruments (Cardiophone and fax). With this equipment, they were able to transmit ECG signals and receive copies of ECG reports. The 40 health centres included first-aid clinics, 'guardia medica' surgeries and community centres. The project was carried out between 1989 and 1992. During these three years the health centres transmitted a total of 4807 ECGs, 2057 (43%) of which were routine, the remaining 2750 (57%) being suspected emergencies. Of the suspected emergencies, 681 cases (25%) had a confirmed abnormality. We can confirm that telematic aids are very important for an operative station, where all kinds of emergencies must be dealt with.