Document Detail


Effectiveness and safety of telemedical management in uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21097562     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UUTI) in women are frequent reasons for consultations in general practice. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of telemedical management at a telemedicine centre in Switzerland. Management followed evidence-based protocols, including teleprescription of an antibiotic. Consecutive UUTI patients who had a teleconsultation including the prescription of an antibiotic were followed up three days later about symptom relief, adverse events or the need to visit a doctor. Of a total of 526 eligible women, follow-up information was available for 95%. Three days after teleconsultation, 79% of patients reported complete symptom relief, and 92% reported a reduction of UUTI symptoms. Five percent of patients reported deterioration, e.g. due to an increase of pain, flank pain or fever. Four percent reported side-effects of the prescribed antibiotics. In the three days following teleconsultation, 4% of women consulted another health-care provider without further contacting the telemedicine centre. Another 8% of patients were referred to face-to-face consultation because they developed additional symptoms or because bacterial resistance of the prescribed antibiotic was suspected. Compared to data from the literature on UUTI, evidence-based telemedical management including teleprescription of an antibiotic is as safe and effective as prescriptions initiated by a face-to-face consultation.
Authors:
Eva Blozik; Carsten Sommer-Meyer; Manuela Cerezo; Jan von Overbeck
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2010-11-19
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of telemedicine and telecare     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1758-1109     ISO Abbreviation:  J Telemed Telecare     Publication Date:  2010 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-11-24     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9506702     Medline TA:  J Telemed Telecare     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
Swiss Centre for Telemedicine Medgate, Basel, Switzerland.
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