Momentum telemedicine service descriptions

Teldialysis (UK)

Objectives, expected outcomes, main beneficiaries

Teldialysis’s aims is to monitor the haemodialysis outpatients at remote dialysis units by video conference. This frees up clinic time to see outpatients and save them travelling to Inverness (a 300 kilometre round trip), and allows staff to meet up weekly to troubleshoot and to facilitate shared teaching with remote sites.

Targeted population, number of patients

The targeted population is people with chronic conditions (e.g. who receive long-term monitoring or coaching), that is, patients undergoing specific treatment. The target is to video conference the haemodialysis patients in the satellite dialysis unit who attend for dialysis three times a week.

Between ten to 20 patients receive the service monthly. The estimated size of the targeted population nationally is 40,000.

Type of telemedicine service

The service is a monitoring service, and the relationship is between patients and secondary care.

Set-up that was being replaced

Previously, the service involved reviewing the patients face-to-face.

Outcomes and results expected after introduction

No real change in consultation quality was expected, but the intention was to free up time to see other patients in clinics.

Detailed description

The videoconferencing uses Tandberg Edge  and an Internet Protocol (IP) network between hospitals, set up by the videoconferencing team at the health board.

Operational status

The Teldialysis service is operational and forms part of the mainstream health service.