Original Title: Estudio multicéntrico para el análisis de la efectividad de la telemedicina en programas de aseguramiento de la calidad de las espirometrías

Authors' objectives: 1. Assess the efficiency and utility of applying telemedicine in order to control the quality of spirometries in primary care. 2. Assess the potentialities of applying telemedicine at a continuous training level and its influence on the integrated care of patients with respiratory diseases. 3. Assess whether the functional diagnosis obtained by the respiratory function test (spirometry) correlates with the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such patients.

Authors' results and conclusions: During the 9 months since the programme was installed, 1894 spirometries were performed at the aforementioned centres. Performance was assessed throughout the project with the aim of improving quality at all the centres. The quality criteria used were those of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and American Thoracic Society (ATS). Moreover, quality A and B spirometries were clinically assessed and the clinical and treatment data of 640 patients were gathered. The major finding was that in the case of 24 patients belonging to the COPD group (25.5%), spirometries did not reveal obstruction data, and as a result these patients were treated with bronchodilator drugs without actually suffering from obstruction. Conclusions 1. A telemedicine system can be used to improve the quality of forced spirometries carried out in primary care centres located a long distance from the reference hospital. 2. The introduction of this control system improves the quality of examinations in all the centres assessed and attains high levels of quality in centres where the spirometry technique is implemented with training via this system. 3. The increase in the quality of the spirometry and the expert spirometry diagnosis may improve the clinical diagnosis of patients with respiratory pathologies and in this way have a repercussion on the health of individuals and on the rationalisation of health care expenditure.

Authors' methods: An organisational chart was designed with an administrator and general coordinator working under the auspices of the Respiratory Functional Examination Laboratory of Cruces Hospital. 15 primary-care centres were included, corresponding to the areas of Ezkerraldea-Enkarterri, Uribekosta and Bilbao. Each centre had 2-3 specialists, representing a total of 34 users. The Linkcare e-Spiro programme was installed in these centres and specialists were trained in its use and in the performance of the forced spirometry.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2012

URL for published report: https://www.euskadi.eus/contenidos/informacion/2012_osteba_publicacion/es_def/adjuntos/e_12_03%20Estudio%20multicentrico%202009_03.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Other

Country: Spain

Organisation Name: Basque Office for Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: C/ Donostia – San Sebastián, 1 (Edificio Lakua II, 4ª planta) 01010 Vitoria - Gasteiz

Contact Name: Lorea Galnares-Cordero

Contact Email: lgalnares@bioef.eus

Copyright: <p>Osteba (Basque Office for Health Technology Assessment) Health Department of the Basque Government</p>