Using Telemedicine for Pediatric Preanesthesia Evaluation: A Pilot Project

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Telemedicine
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Preanesthesia evaluation is crucial for optimizing patient safety and outcomes.
• Traditional preanesthesia evaluations can present logistical challenges for families.
• Telemedicine offers a potential solution to improve accessibility and efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement telemedicine for pediatric preanesthesia evaluations.
• To assess patient and provider satisfaction with this telemedicine model.

Main Methods:

• A nonrandomized prospective evidence-based practice project was conducted.
• Pediatric patients underwent preanesthesia evaluation via telemedicine.
• Satisfaction was measured using a 5-point Likert scale survey for patients, parents, and providers.

Main Results:

• High overall satisfaction was reported for telemedicine preanesthesia evaluations.
• Mean Likert scale scores were 4.63 for patients/parents and 4.67 for providers.
• Telemedicine was well-received by all participants.

Conclusions:

• Telemedicine is a viable and effective method for pediatric preanesthesia evaluations.
• This approach shows potential for improving patient-provider relationships.
• Implementing telemedicine can increase access to pediatric healthcare services.