Journal article
Telephotography in Trauma: A 2-Year Clinical Experience
Telemedicine journal and e-health, Vol.20(4), pp.342-345
04/01/2014
DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2013.0190
PMID: 24443926
Abstract
Introduction:
Smartphones can be used to record and transmit high-quality clinical photographs. The aim of this study was to describe our experience with smartphone telephotography in the care of trauma patients. We hypothesized that smartphone telephotography can be safely and effectively implemented on a trauma service.
Subjects and
Methods:
We performed a 2-year (January 2011–December 2012) prospective analysis of all patient photographs recorded by members of our trauma team at our Level I trauma center. All members of the trauma team recorded patient photographs and e-mailed them to a secure e-mail account. An administrative assistant uploaded a copy of each photgrapho into the patient's electronic medical record. We assessed the number of photographs collected and uploaded, as well as the success, failure, and complication rates.
Results:
Our trauma team sent 7,200 photographs to a secure e-mail account. Of those, 6,120 (85%) were considered, after an initial review, to be of good quality. Of these, 3,320 photographs (54%) were successfully uploaded into a patient's electronic medical record; the remaining 2,800 photographs lacked adequate labeling and could not be uploaded. The average interval to uploading was 3 months. In total, 10 photographs were uploaded into the wrong patient's electronic medical record, for an error rate of 0.003%. We received only three complaints during the study period.
Conclusions:
Telephotography can be safely and effectively implemented in trauma clinical practice. Fears of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act violations are not valid, as the incidence of patient complaints is minimal when telephotography is implemented under strict guidelines and rules. Dedicated administrative personnel are essential for effective implementation of smartphone photography.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Telephotography in Trauma: A 2-Year Clinical Experience
- Creators
- Bellal Joseph - University of ArizonaViraj Pandit - Banner - University Medical Center TucsonJulie Wynne - Banner - University Medical Center TucsonHassan Aziz - Banner - University Medical Center TucsonAndrew Tang - Banner - University Medical Center TucsonNarong Kulvatunyou - Banner - University Medical Center TucsonArvie Webster - Banner - University Medical Center TucsonTerence O'Keeffe - Banner - University Medical Center TucsonMichelle Ziemba - Banner - University Medical Center TucsonRandall S. Friese - Banner - University Medical Center TucsonRonald S. Weinstein - University of ArizonaPeter Rhee - Banner - University Medical Center Tucson
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Telemedicine journal and e-health, Vol.20(4), pp.342-345
- Publisher
- Mary Ann Liebert, Inc
- DOI
- 10.1089/tmj.2013.0190
- PMID
- 24443926
- ISSN
- 1530-5627
- eISSN
- 1556-3669
- Number of pages
- 4
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/01/2014
- Academic Unit
- Surgery
- Record Identifier
- 9984701545702771
Metrics
3 Record Views