I-retina Project: Integration Between Ophthalmologists To Sustain Retina Health Care

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_C68D1546413A
Type
Inproceedings: an article in a conference proceedings.
Publication sub-type
Abstract (Abstract): shot summary in a article that contain essentials elements presented during a scientific conference, lecture or from a poster.
Collection
Publications
Title
I-retina Project: Integration Between Ophthalmologists To Sustain Retina Health Care
Title of the conference
2012 ARVO Annual Meeting
Author(s)
Eandi CM, Donati S, Muna AO, Torreggiani A, Grignolo FM, Azzolini C
Organization
2012 ARVO Annual Meeting. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Address
2012 ARVO Annual Meeting. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA – 30 aprile – 5 maggio 2012.
Publication state
Published
Issued date
30/04/2012
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
53
Pages
2090
Language
english
Notes
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science March 2012, Vol.53, 2090
Abstract
Purpose: : To evaluate a new way to treat and follow retina patients in an era of lack of resources in healthcare by the integration between ophthalmologists working in their offices on the territory and others working on Retina Centers.
Methods: : A dedicated iRetina physician-to-physician network has been developed on a web application platform using IBM Lotus Notes database technology including an iPad application with a centralised state-of-the-art server and a dedicated booking service for connections. A dedicated Electronic Medical Records (EMR) has been created with space for text and bio-images using in-depth special magnification software. The network system works in asynchrony (off-line), with notification to consultant and consulted ophthalmologists provided by SMS and e-mail messages. The system has been running since November 2009. The project also provided each ophthalmologist with Italian Continuous Medical Education (CME) credits.
Results: : Up to now, six groups of ophthalmologists in different Italian cities used the network for a total of 72 active ophthalmologists. 260 patients were evaluated. 360 electronic medical records and 187 set of images were used for the opinions’ exchange. Access to the project (entering the network), acceptability (technology satisfaction), data quality and medical efficacy (appropriate care in the right time) were evaluated positive/very positive by a point classification system. The process of care was accelerate in about 25% out of the 260 patients.
Conclusions: : The project allowed to decrease the number of duplicate visits and calls that are particularly burdensome (no matter who pays: the state, insurance companies, the patient himself) in anti-VEGF therapies, where control visits and therapies have to be carried out on a monthly-basis for years. iHealth could represents a profitable alternative in this era of worldwide healthcare budgetary retrenchment.
Keywords
retina • imaging/image analysis: clinical • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: health care delivery/economics/manpower
Create date
30/06/2021 9:35
Last modification date
09/07/2021 5:37
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