Telemedicine Evaluation and Management of Lumbar Disk Herniation
Abstract
The major benefit of this project is to improve patient care. Once this project has been validated, we can eliminate unnecessary travel to WRAMC, sending only those patients with emergent symptoms. Currently, we see all emergent and non-emergent cases and it can take up to 3-months to get an appointment to see a Spine Specialist. Once validated, we can reduce/eliminate the number of non-emergent cases allowing the Spine Specialists to see emergent patients in a more-timely manner. This will also reduce the long profiles and lost duty days associated with the long delay in seeing a specialist. How can your project reduce the cost of care? By reducing/eliminating the number of patients sent to WRAMC, we can reduce the cost of care. Prolonged profiles, lost duty days, air travel, hotel accommodations and meals would all be eliminated. Of the 1200 referral patients we see per year, about one sixth require surgical intervention. Additionally, development of this method of improving spine care access may also improve our ability to efficiently and effectively manage other spine problems and referrals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA421137
Entities
People
- Timothy R. Kuklo
Organizations
- Walter Reed Army Medical Center