Averted Transfers in Rural Emergency Departments Using Telemedicine: Rates and Costs Across Six Networks

Date
08/2020
Journal
Telemedicine and eHealth
Description

In a cohort of 4,324 tele-ED cases across 26 months in 65 hospitals in 6 tele-ED networks, 20% were averted transfers, and 43% of those were then routinely discharged rather than being transferred. Averted transfers saved on average $2,673 in avoidable transport costs per patient, with 63.6% of these cost savings accruing to public insurance.

Center
Rural Telehealth Research Center
Authors
Marcia Ward, Knute Carter, Fred Ullrich, Kimberly Merchant, Nabil Natafgi, Xi Zhu, Paula Weigel, Sarah Heppner, Nicholas Mohr