Effects of Real-time Telemedicine Consultations between Hospital-based Nurses and Patients with Severe COPD discharged after Exacerbation Admissions

Introduction: Hospitalisation with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) causes a major burden for the COPD patients and is a common cause for admissions and readmissions to medical wards.
Objectives: To investigate the effect of one week of daily real-time telemedicine video consultations (teleconsultation) between hospital-based nurses specialised in respiratory diseases (telenurses) and patients with severe COPD discharged after AECOPD in addition to conventional treatment compared to the effect of conventional treatment.
Methods: Patients admitted with AECOPD at two different locations were recruited at hospital discharge and randomly assigned (1:1) to either daily teleconsultation for one week in addition to conventional treatment, the TVC group or to conventional treatment, the CT group. The telemedicine equipment consisted of a briefcase with built-in computer including a web camera, microphone and measurement equipment.
Primary outcome: consisted of the total number of readmissions within 26 weeks after discharge.
Results: A total of 266 patients (mean age 71.5 years, SD 9.5 years) were allocated to either TVC (n=132) or CT (n=134). No significant difference was noted between the groups (p = 0.62).
Conclusion: In conclusion, addition of one week of teleconsultations between hospital-based telenurses and patients with severe COPD discharged after hospitalisation with AECOPD was as safe and effective as conventional treatment, but it did not significantly reduce readmissions or affect mortality.