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Onsite telemedicine strategy for coronavirus (COVID-19) screening to limit exposure in ED
  1. Eric Chou,
  2. Yu-Lin Hsieh,
  3. Jon Wolfshohl,
  4. Fonda Green,
  5. Toral Bhakta
  1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor Scott and White All Saints Medical Center Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Eric Chou, Emergency Medicine, Baylor Scott and White All Saints Medical Center Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA; eric.chou{at}bswhealth.org

Abstract

Coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) outbreak is a public health emergency and a global pandemic. During the present coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, telemedicine has been recommended to screen suspected patients to limit risk of exposure and maximise medical staff protection. We constructed the protective physical barrier with telemedicine technology to limit COVID-19 exposure in ED. Our hospital is an urban community hospital with annual ED volume of approximately 50 000 patients. We equipped our patient exam room with intercom and iPad for telecommunication. Based on our telemedicine screening protocol, physician can conduct a visual physical examination on stable patients via intercom or videoconference. Telemedicine was initially used to overcome the physical barrier between patients and physicians. However, our protocol is designed to create a protective physical barrier to protect healthcare workers and enhance efficiency in ED. The implementation can be a promising protocol in making ED care more cost-effective and efficient during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

  • infectious diseases, SARS
  • emergency department

This article is made freely available for use in accordance with BMJ’s website terms and conditions for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic or until otherwise determined by BMJ. You may use, download and print the article for any lawful, non-commercial purpose (including text and data mining) provided that all copyright notices and trade marks are retained.

https://bmj.com/coronavirus/usage

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Footnotes

  • Contributors EC, Y-LH and JW wrote the draft. FG and TB provided critical feedback. TB and EC authorised the final manuscript

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.

  • Patient consent for publication Obtained.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.