[Telemedicine in thrombotic microangiopathies: A way forward in rare diseases requiring emergency care]

Rev Med Interne. 2016 Aug;37(8):514-20. doi: 10.1016/j.revmed.2015.10.354. Epub 2015 Dec 8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA) represent rare diseases requiring a high skill for their management that deserved in France the identification of a dedicated National reference center. TMA are short-term life-threatening diseases; however, with an adapted management, their prognosis can be excellent. It is therefore mandatory to recognize and treat them rapidly according to standard guidelines. Telemedicine is a specialized hub consisting of highly skilled staff trained in a specific domain of medicine. The telemedicine activity of a reference center is an important representative indicator of its expertise and recourse ability. It requires to be accurately evaluated and promoted. In this work, we report the French reference center for TMA telemedicine activity since its setting-up. TMA represent an interesting model of diseases that required a specific organization of telemedicine activity to adapt to clinicians demand, which includes particularly the need to answer resorts in real time 24/7.

Keywords: Centre de référence; Hemolytic and uremic syndrome; Microangiopathie thrombotique; Purpura thrombotique thrombocytopénique; Recours; Recourse; Reference center; Syndrome hémolytique et urémique; Telemedicine; Thrombotic microangiopathies; Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; Télémédecine.

MeSH terms

  • Emergency Medical Services / methods*
  • France
  • Humans
  • Rare Diseases / therapy
  • Telemedicine / methods*
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / therapy*