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The growth of a skin emergency teledermatology service from 2008 to 2014
Author(s) -
Finnane Anna,
Siller Gregory,
Mujcic Redzo,
Soyer H. Peter
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1111/ajd.12411
Subject(s) - teledermatology , medicine , referral , audit , service (business) , dermatology , family medicine , medical emergency , telemedicine , health care , economy , management , economics , economic growth
Objective To conduct an audit of the S kin E mergency T elemedicine S ervice at P rincess A lexandra H ospital in B risbane from J anuary to D ecember 2014, and determine whether there has been any change in the number, type and location of referrals. Methods Retrospective analyses of referrals to the teledermatology service were conducted and compared with the 2012 audit. Main outcomes assessed included the number of referrals, referral site location, telediagnosis categories, image characteristics and response times. Results In 2014, 318 cases were referred to the teledermatology service. The highest number of cases ( n = 140) were referred from P rincess A lexandra H ospital and Q ueen E lizabeth II J ubilee H ospital emergency departments. However, referrals to the teledermatology service came from as far as 1600 km distant from B risbane. The most common provisional telediagnoses were dermatitis or eczema, skin infection or drug eruption. Over half of all referrals (62%) received a response within 3 h and a further 20% were responded to within 3–6 h. Almost half all referring doctors (48%) attached very large image files (> 500 kb) to their referral. Conclusions The S kin E mergency T elemedicine S ervice has proved to be a successful, sustainable and valuable addition to the specialist dermatology services provided across Q ueensland. With adequate funding and resources and appropriate attention to ethical and legal considerations, our service could significantly change the management of Q ueenslanders with acute skin conditions.