| Popis: |
Intensive care physician staffing will continue to decline relative to the population over the next decade. Combating this shortfall in intensive care unit (ICU) staffing will require both training of new physicians and increased efficiency with which ICU services are delivered. For these systems to work, a robust medical-legal framework including governance, reimbursement, and medical liability must be implemented. The reported starting costs of a Tele-ICU core facility and ICU bed installation ranges from $1,000,000 to $7,000,000. In the past, Tele-ICU programs have been largely justified in a financial sense by reducing the cost of ICU operations. However, Medicare, Medicaid, and other third-party payers are beginning to reimburse for more Tele-ICU services each year. To best ensure compliance with legal regulations, the Tele-ICU leadership team should pay close attention to their respective states, licensing requirements, privacy protection, governing body mandates, and institutional bylaws. Limited data suggest that Tele-ICU services are associated with reductions in ICU malpractice claims. As with any growing technology, the Tele-ICU medical-legal framework is constantly evolving, and ongoing refinement is necessary for reliable operation and patient safety. |
