Cited by 34Ultrasound in Clinical ApplicationsTelemedicine and Telehealth ImplementationRadiology practices and education

Ultrasound images transmitted via FaceTime are non-inferior to images on the ultrasound machine

Levine, Andrea R., Buchner, Jessica A., Verceles, Avelino C., Zubrow, Marc T., Mallemat, Haney A., Papali, Alfred, McCurdy, Michael T.·2016·Journal of Critical Care

Abstract

Purpose Remote telementored ultrasound (RTMUS) systems can deliver ultrasound (US) expertise to regions lacking highly trained bedside ultrasonographers and US interpreters. To date, no studies have evaluated the quality and clinical utility of US images transmitted using commercially available RTMUS systems.Methods This prospective pilot evaluated the quality of US images (right internal jugular vein, lung apices and bases, cardiac subxiphoid view, bladder) obtained using a commercially available iPad operating FaceTime software. A bedside non-physician obtained images and a tele-intensivist interpreted them. All US screen images were simultaneously saved on the US machine and captured via a FaceTime screen shot. The tele-intensivist and an independent US expert rated image quality and utility in guiding clinical decisions.Results The tele-intensivist rated FaceTime images as high quality (90% [69/77]) and could comfortably make clinical decisions using these images (96% [74/77]). Image quality did not differ between FaceTime and US images (97% (75/77). Strong inter-rater reliability existed between tele-intensivist and US expert evaluations (Spearman's rho 0.43; P<.001).Conclusion An RTMUS system using commercially available two-way audiovisual technology can transmit US images without quality degradation. For most anatomic sites assessed, US images acquired using FaceTime are not inferior to those obtained directly with the US machine.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jcrc.2016.02.019

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  • Based on research not included in this systematic review, synchronous RTMUS can be successfully performed with <60 min of training.

    “Based on research not included in this systematic review, synchronous RTMUS can be successfully performed with <60 min of training (20, 21, 45, 46).”

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Authors
Levine, A. R., Buchner, J. A., Verceles, A. C., Zubrow, M. T., Mallemat, H. A., Papali, A., & McCurdy, M. T.
Affiliations
  • University of Pittsburgh (US)
  • University of Maryland, Baltimore (US)
Corresponding author
McCurdy, Michael T.
Venue
Journal of Critical Care
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-06
Volume
33
Pages
51-55
ISSN
0883-9441 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2281991849
Cited by
34
References
25
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 2
FWCI
5.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Critical Care (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine › Ultrasound in Clinical Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Radiology practices and education
Keywords
FaceTime, ultrasound image quality, telemedicine, point-of-care ultrasound, image transmission, inter-rater reliability, right internal jugular vein, bladder ultrasound
MeSH terms
Adult, Urinary Bladder, Critical Care, Feasibility Studies, Female, Humans, Jugular Veins, Lung, Male, Pilot Projects, Prospective Studies, Telecommunications, Ultrasonography, Reproducibility of Results, Telemedicine, Computers, Handheld, Mobile Applications, Healthy Volunteers

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