Implementation and early experience of a pediatric electrophysiology telehealth program

Telehealth (TH) visits have been growing with exponential increased utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this manuscript is to describe the implementation and early experience of a pediatric electrophysiology (EP) TH program implemented during the pandemic, assessing patient satisfaction, patient equity and inclusion (measured by geographical outreach), and sustainability.

A retrospective chart review study was performed and data were collected from the medical record, including demographic, testing, and billing data from scheduled TH encounters between March and August 2020 of a single pediatric EP group in the Midwest. Patients were called to complete satisfaction surveys.

Patients with diverse pathologies were seen in TH, with supraventricular/atrial tachycardias (n = 41, 35%) and inherited arrhythmia syndromes (n = 23, 20%) being most common. The mean distance from clinic was 95 miles (range 2.8-320 miles), with 43% of patients living more than 100 miles away from clinic. A total of 172 tests were performed previsit (n = 102, 59%), during the visit (n = 17, 10%), or postvisit (n = 53, 31%), including 15 EP studies. Time-based Current Procedural Terminology codes were predominantly used for billing purposes (n = 92, 78%). There was generation of work relative value units (wRVU) for visits (220.5 wRVU) and testing (325.1 wRVU). Survey data demonstrated that 98% of patients were satisfied with their telehealth appointment and 99% had a clear understanding of their diagnosis.

Pediatric EP TH clinics can provide care for a geographically and pathologically heterogeneous group of patients who had positive attitudes toward TH. Our study shows significant downstream testing and subsequent wRVU generation, suggesting financial sustainability.