Translate 
Abstract
BackgroundTelehealth platforms may save resources for patients and providers, but the precise impact of their incorporation during the postoperative period is not well understood. The goal of this study is to determine whether telehealth incorporation in the postoperative period leads to an overall increase in healthcare utilization after upper extremity surgery.MethodologyPatients seen for a postoperative telehealth visit after upper extremity surgery were randomly selected and retrospectively enrolled. Complications and the total number of postoperative visits before clinical discharge were recorded and compared to controls matched by surgery type and surgeon.ResultsA total of 56 patients were seen for 60 telehealth visits. The most common surgical procedures were distal radius open-reduction internal fixation (n = 8), open carpal tunnel release (n = 8), and endoscopic carpal tunnel release (n = 6). One telehealth visit (1.7%) required conversion to in-person evaluation due to suspected superficial infection necessitating in-person physical examination. The average number of postoperative visits prior to clinical discharge was 2.6 in the telehealth group compared to 2.7 in matched controls (p = 0.886). Complication rates were similar between groups.ConclusionsThe rate of necessary in-person evaluation after postoperative telehealth visits was less than 2%. The incorporation of telehealth visits did not appear to increase healthcare utilization after upper extremity surgery. Accordingly, the postoperative period is likely an ideal application for safe and effective telehealth implementation.
Highlights
As telehealth incorporation continues to rapidly expand across orthopedic practices [1,2], it remains unclear which clinical scenarios are the most and least amenable to virtual visits [3]
The rate of necessary in-person evaluation after postoperative telehealth visits was less than 2%
The goal of this study is to assess postoperative healthcare utilization in patients seen via telehealth for at least one clinical visit after upper extremity surgery and determine the conversion rate to in-person evaluation
Summary
As telehealth incorporation continues to rapidly expand across orthopedic practices [1,2], it remains unclear which clinical scenarios are the most and least amenable to virtual visits [3]. Postoperative telehealth visits have proven to be safe [4], but there is a paucity of data in the hand surgery literature Their impact on the broader postoperative course is incompletely understood. If a substantial percentage of encountered postoperative visits cannot be managed virtually, telehealth visits would carry a high rate of necessary conversion to in-person evaluation, creating redundant clinical visits often within a global billing period. This would, on average, increase the number of visits performed within the postoperative course, effectively costing rather than saving resources. The goal of this study is to determine whether telehealth incorporation in the postoperative period leads to an overall increase in healthcare utilization after upper extremity surgery
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
