Telemedicine in the pediatric intensive care unit

Telemedicine technologies involve real-time, live interactive high-definition video and audio communication that allow pediatric critical care physicians to have a virtual presence at the bedside of any critically ill child. Telemedicine use has been increasing and is expected to become a common tool in remote emergency departments, inpatient wards, and Intensive Care Units for pediatric care. There is increasing data to support new care models that incorporate telemedicine technologies result in higher care quality, more efficient resource use with improved cost-effectiveness, and higher patient, parent and remote provider satisfaction. As more research is conducted, the best use of these technologies will be better defined, and result in increased access to pediatric critical care expertise to a larger population of children in need of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) services.