Abstract Number: PB1262
Meeting: ISTH 2020 Congress
Background: Virtual Clinics (VCs) enterprise is being utilized widely by health systems, especially applicable for patients with chronic diseases such as Hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders requiring frequent interaction with care providers. Pediatric Non-Malignant Blood Disorders (NMBDs) section at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh is the main tertiary referral center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for patients with Inherited bleeding disorders.
Aims: To optimize access to specialized care to patients in the peripheries of the Kingdom by increasing VCs utilization facilitating comprehensive care delivery.
Methods: Children (≤14years) with NMBDs are scheduled twice weekly (8 slots) in VCs through Health Outreach department in coordination with Hematologist and Clinical Nurse Coordinator responsible for patient selection. Dashboard created utilizing web-based system (REDCap) for tracking purposes.
Results: Ninety virtual clinics (VCs) were conducted in 2019 with 244 children seen: hemoglobinopathies, 95 (40%); bleeding disorders, 62 (25%); bone marrow failures (BMFs), 39 (16%) and working diagnosis 48 (20%). Total of 387 patient visits registered – an average of 1.5 visit / patient; majority of seen from the Southern 42% (103) and Northern 21% (52) regions of the country. Amongst bleeding disorders majority of the patients seen were Hemophilia, 27%; Rare Bleeding Disorders and Glanzman Thrombasthenia, 26% enabling timely laboratory test result reviews, factor replacement refills, patient education, vaccinations and dental referrals. In terms of hospital-metrics a total of 387 follow-up slots were made available for ‘in-house” physician clinics improving outpatient efficiency by 10% and associated revenue, while logistic costs were completely eliminated.
Conclusions: In our experience patients and families were content with the VCs as personal logistic costs (transportation, accommodation and vocational) were lower while maintaining the quality of communication and consultation time, improving access to caregivers. Preliminary financial assessments underlines cost-effectiveness of adapting VCs model however a longer follow-up is warranted.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Saleh M, Aljefri A, Alkofide A, Allehaidan F, Abdo B, Amao A, Safi B, Mohammed V. Use of ‘Virtual Clinics’ Telehealth Model in Pediatric Patients with Hemophilia and Inherited Bleeding Disorders: Experience from a Tertiary Care Center [abstract]. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2020; 4 (Suppl 1). https://abstracts.isth.org/abstract/use-of-virtual-clinics-telehealth-model-in-pediatric-patients-with-hemophilia-and-inherited-bleeding-disorders-experience-from-a-tertiary-care-center/. Accessed April 26, 2024.« Back to ISTH 2020 Congress
ISTH Congress Abstracts - https://abstracts.isth.org/abstract/use-of-virtual-clinics-telehealth-model-in-pediatric-patients-with-hemophilia-and-inherited-bleeding-disorders-experience-from-a-tertiary-care-center/