Grüßer Linda, Bayram Berfin, Ziemann Sebastian, Wallqvist Julia, Wienhold Jan, Rossaint Rolf, Derwall Matthias, Follmann Andreas
Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
Department Anthropogenic Material Cycles, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
Telemed J E Health. 2024 Jun;30(7):e2050-e2058. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0700. Epub 2024 Apr 24.
Introduction:{'sub': '2', '#text': 'Teleconsultations for preoperative evaluation in anesthesiology proved to be feasible during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, widespread implementation of teleconsultations has not yet occurred. Besides time savings and economic benefits, teleconsultations in anesthesia may have the potential to reduce CO emissions.'}
Methods:We conducted a life cycle assessment based on prospective surveys to assess the potential environmental benefits of preoperative anesthesia teleconsultations in comparison to the status-quo in-person consultations. Within 1 month, all patients presenting at the preoperative anesthesia clinic at RWTH Aachen University Hospital were asked about the distance traveled and mode of transportation to the hospital. The main outcome measure was the potential environmental benefit resulting from the implementation of teleconsultations.
Results:{'sub': ['2', '2', '2'], '#text': 'In total, 821 out of 981 patients presenting at the anesthesia clinic participated in the survey. Most patients visited on an outpatient basis (62.9%) and traveled by car (81.7%). The median travel distance was 25\u2009km [interquartile range 12-40]. If patients who came to the hospital solely for the anesthesia appointment had scheduled virtual appointments, the emissions of 3.03-ton CO equivalents (CO-eq) could be avoided in the first month after implementation. The environmental impact associated with the production of teleconsultation equipment is outweighed by the reduction in patient travel. If all outpatient appointments were performed virtually, these savings would triple. Within 10 years, more than 1,300 tons CO-eq could be avoided.'}
Conclusion:Teleconsultations can mitigate the environmental impact of in-person anesthesia consultations. Further research is essential to leverage teleconsultations for preoperative evaluation also across other medical specialties.
事实证明，在新冠疫情期间，麻醉术前评估的远程会诊是可行的。然而，远程会诊尚未得到广泛应用。除了节省时间和经济效益外，麻醉远程会诊还可能有减少碳排放的潜力。
我们基于前瞻性调查进行了生命周期评估，以评估术前麻醉远程会诊相较于现状下的面对面会诊的潜在环境效益。在1个月内，我们询问了亚琛工业大学医院麻醉术前诊所的所有患者前往医院的路程和交通方式。主要结局指标是实施远程会诊带来的潜在环境效益。
在麻醉诊所就诊的981名患者中，共有821名参与了调查。大多数患者为门诊就诊（62.9%），且乘坐汽车前来（81.7%）。中位行程距离为25公里[四分位间距12 - 40]。如果仅为麻醉预约前来医院的患者安排虚拟会诊，那么在实施后的第一个月可避免3.03吨二氧化碳当量（CO-eq）的排放。远程会诊设备生产所带来的环境影响小于患者出行减少所带来的影响。如果所有门诊会诊都采用虚拟方式进行，这些节省量将增至三倍。在10年内，可避免超过1300吨CO-eq的排放。
远程会诊可减轻面对面麻醉会诊的环境影响。开展进一步研究对于在其他医学专科中利用远程会诊进行术前评估也至关重要。
