Contributions
Abstract: P1634
Type: LB Poster
Abstract Category: Late Breaking News
Objective: To evaluate the use of telemedicine (Facetime/Skype),to interpret urine dipstick results in MS patients treated with Alemtuzumab, in a community setting
Background: A significant advantage of Alemtuzumab over other disease modifying treatments is that it is an induction therapy; requiring only two treatment courses, as opposed to regular medications/injections or monthly infusions. However, this advantaged is hindered by the need for frequent monitoring for its potential side effects. This has major impact on time resources for both the patient and clinical service. Our study is taking the first step to combating this by focusing on enabling patients to performed monitored urine dipsticks at home. Monthly urine dipstick testing is an important part of monitoring for the development autoimmune kidney disease.
Methods: The proof of concept first involved a nurse interpreting the results with a nurse in another room using FaceTime/Skype. This was then compared to an automated machine reading. The proof secondly involved the patients performing a digital video call with a nurse assisting them. The study finally involved the patients making the call away from their own homes to the hospital setting and comparing these results to the urine samples they send in.
Results: Cohen"s Kappa coefficient demonstrated substantial consistency between FaceTime/Skype readings and machine readings in both the proof of concept (n=13; Kappa=0.75) and the proof (n=11; Kappa=0.67). The only infection observed in the trial stage so far was picked up by our FaceTime/Skype interpretation of the urine dipstick, before being confirmed by urine MC&S. Additionally, the patient feedback has shown 100% preference for this technique to current practice of monthly clinical visits.
Conclusion: These results demonstrate reliable dipstick interpretation using remote digital media from the patients home to the hospital setting. The study demonstrated high patient satisfaction and reduced patient and clinician travel time. The remote consultations were shorter and improved efficiency of the clinical service. These results are promising in aiding services reduce the burden of monitoring for alemtuzumab treated patients.
Disclosure:
Adrian Yan: Nothing to disclose
Helen Owen: Nothing to disclose
Bernie Conway: Nothing to disclose
Lynne Watson: Nothing to disclose
Owen Pearson: Has received honoraria and support to attend scientific meetings, speakers´ fees, and advisory boards from Biogen, Genzyme, Novartis, Teva, Merck Serono and Roche.
Abstract: P1634
Type: LB Poster
Abstract Category: Late Breaking News
Objective: To evaluate the use of telemedicine (Facetime/Skype),to interpret urine dipstick results in MS patients treated with Alemtuzumab, in a community setting
Background: A significant advantage of Alemtuzumab over other disease modifying treatments is that it is an induction therapy; requiring only two treatment courses, as opposed to regular medications/injections or monthly infusions. However, this advantaged is hindered by the need for frequent monitoring for its potential side effects. This has major impact on time resources for both the patient and clinical service. Our study is taking the first step to combating this by focusing on enabling patients to performed monitored urine dipsticks at home. Monthly urine dipstick testing is an important part of monitoring for the development autoimmune kidney disease.
Methods: The proof of concept first involved a nurse interpreting the results with a nurse in another room using FaceTime/Skype. This was then compared to an automated machine reading. The proof secondly involved the patients performing a digital video call with a nurse assisting them. The study finally involved the patients making the call away from their own homes to the hospital setting and comparing these results to the urine samples they send in.
Results: Cohen"s Kappa coefficient demonstrated substantial consistency between FaceTime/Skype readings and machine readings in both the proof of concept (n=13; Kappa=0.75) and the proof (n=11; Kappa=0.67). The only infection observed in the trial stage so far was picked up by our FaceTime/Skype interpretation of the urine dipstick, before being confirmed by urine MC&S. Additionally, the patient feedback has shown 100% preference for this technique to current practice of monthly clinical visits.
Conclusion: These results demonstrate reliable dipstick interpretation using remote digital media from the patients home to the hospital setting. The study demonstrated high patient satisfaction and reduced patient and clinician travel time. The remote consultations were shorter and improved efficiency of the clinical service. These results are promising in aiding services reduce the burden of monitoring for alemtuzumab treated patients.
Disclosure:
Adrian Yan: Nothing to disclose
Helen Owen: Nothing to disclose
Bernie Conway: Nothing to disclose
Lynne Watson: Nothing to disclose
Owen Pearson: Has received honoraria and support to attend scientific meetings, speakers´ fees, and advisory boards from Biogen, Genzyme, Novartis, Teva, Merck Serono and Roche.