Remote Check as a tele-health instrument for cochlear implant recipients: Analysis of impact and feasibility of application.

PURPOSE: The number of cochlear implant (CI) surgeries is growing over time, with the risk of overloading CI centers in the post-surgical management. Telemedicine is a possible solution to address this phenomenon. Remote Check (RC) is an application that is specific for CI recipients monitoring. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of application, potential economic impact and patients' acceptance of RC.

METHODS

The study is retrospective investigation, data on clinical, audiological features (from remote and on-site evaluation), and satisfaction surveys of 66 consecutive patients were collected; costs required for RC and for on-site evaluations were recorded as well.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety RC sessions were completed by the patients (2.88 sessions per patient). RC and on-site audiometry significantly correlated except for the 500 Hz frequency. Estimated costs for the Italian National Health System for RC review and on-site evaluations were 1.32€ and 3.49€ per minute, respectively. High satisfaction for RC was reached in 91 % of patients.

CONCLUSION

RC revealed to be a reliable, cost-effective and well accepted tool in CI monitoring. This study preliminarily supports the hypothesis that RC could be a valid instrument to reduce CI management overload in the outpatient clinic.