Pediatric telecardiology experience in the COVID-19 pandemic context

Mariel L. Foti, Servicio de Cardiología Infantil, Hospital de Pediatría SAMIC Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Erica Stelmaszewski, Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Diego C. Micheli, Servicio de Cardiología Infantil, Hospital de Pediatría SAMIC Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
M. Victoria Lafuente, Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Mariela Mouratian, Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Marisa Di Santo, Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Alejandra Villa, Servicio de Cardiología Infantil, Hospital de Pediatría SAMIC Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global impact on public health services. Using new strategies through telehealth for the management of patients with congenital heart disease was the challenge. Objective: To describe the experience in telecardiology, and the strategies implemented during the pandemic. Method: Retrospective, qualitative study that includes the period from April 2020 to April 2021. Inquiries were received through the service’s official e-mail or telephone. They were classified according to the type of concern and complexity of heart disease using color coding. The responses were asynchronous (by e-mail) or synchronous (videoconferences). The videoconferences were made using a secure platform (Cisco-Webex). Results: From April 2020 to April 2021, a total of 3372 queries were answered. The responses were distributed via e-mail (64.9%), phone calls (1.2%) and videoconferences (14.5%). The most frequent reasons for consultation were the request for missed appointments (68%), and remote clinical monitoring (20%). A total of 2296 families was contacted. Only 14.1% of the inquiries were cited in person. With color coding, a stratification was performed according to urgency. Conclusions: Telehealth proved to be a useful tool for the clinical management of patients with congenital heart disease in their place of origin. It prevented a considerable number of transfers, identified patients at risk rapidly, comforted families, and strengthened ties with local hospitals that make up the health network.

Keywords: Telemedicine. Telehealth. Telecardiology. Congenital heart disease. Pediatric cardiology.