Televisit with TytoHome™ device in medically complex child in long-term mechanical ventilation: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Digital Health
• Telemedicine

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted telemedicine's value for managing children with medical complexity (CMC).
• A dedicated telemedicine service was established to optimize eHealth approaches for CMC patients.
• The TytoHome™ device was explored for remote objective examinations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the remote management of CMC patients on long-term mechanical ventilation using a telemedicine platform and the TytoHome™ device.
• To assess the feasibility and utility of remote objective examinations in pediatric telemedicine.
• To gather patient and healthcare provider feedback on the telemedicine experience.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 10 pediatric patients on home mechanical ventilation (4 invasive, 6 non-invasive).
• Data collection included patient details, vital signs, objective examinations, audio quality, and patient satisfaction over one year.
• Descriptive analysis of collected data was performed.

Main Results:

• Families expressed satisfaction with remote follow-up visits.
• Healthcare personnel rated the audio quality of remote visits as "good."
• The TytoHome™ device facilitated remote objective examinations for medically complex children.

Conclusions:

• Remote management of CMC patients on mechanical ventilation using the TytoHome™ device is feasible and advantageous.
• The TytoHome™ device is a useful tool for the remote medical management of complex pediatric patients.
• Telemedicine, enhanced by devices like TytoHome™, improves access to care for CMC patients.