Tele-ICUs for intensive care reduce patient mortality by 20%, save up to $10,000: study

Donna Cusano

NEHI (New England Healthcare Institute), collaborated with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) in 2008 conducted a study of telemedicine use in ICU settings using Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, which had a tele-ICU command center, and two community hospitals. The study results were published in December 2010. Findings: tele-ICUs decrease patient mortality by 20% and total mortality by 13%; shorten ICU stays by 30% (two days); save on average $2,600 (MMMC) to $10,000 (community) per patient by avoiding transfer; enable more ICU care by the community hospital (+50%). NEHI one page and full reports (download PDF).