Specific elements of teleintensivist paradigm require additional scrutiny and justification.

摘要

We applaud McCambridge and colleagues1 for their work regarding the impact of systematic application of telemedicine and a health information technology bundle (HITB) on intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes. In our multihospital health system, we currently use the remote intensivist coverage (RIC) model coupled with several HITB components, and have augmented this with an evidence-based, structured approach to ICU care processes and integrated virtual rounds with bedside nursing staff. The ongoing shortage of intensivists and critical care nurses is almost certain to mandate growth and refinement of ICU telemedicine (tele-ICU) care delivery models such as HITB-RIC.