Pediatrix TeleROP™ program enables hospitals to remotely screen and monitor newborns for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), the leading cause of blindness in children.
Although the incidence of ROP is low, the stakes are high for the parent and patient, as well as hospitals given legal implications that may accompany undiagnosed disease or delayed treatment.
Many hospitals are challenged to find local pediatric ophthalmologists to provide regular screening and monitoring services in addition to treatment. Our TeleROP program enables remote screening and monitoring using retinal images, improving access and patient care quality. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Ophthalmology endorse telemedicine as an alternative for in-person ROP screening.
How does it work?
Our comprehensive TeleROP program is supported by the following elements:
- Pediatric retina physician graders, working under the direction of an internationally recognized expert in ROP screening
- Wide angle retinal camera to acquire images, and protocols for photos
- A proprietary TeleROP system designed for ROP clinical reporting
- Cloud-based image storage, or transmission to the hospital PACS system
- Implementation services, training and ongoing support
TeleROP Benefits
Unlike “traditional” exams in which a health care provider makes his or her subjective assessment in real time at the bedside, telemedicine gives us the ability to capture objective data which can be accessed at any time for any reason, including:
- Review by the patient’s care team
- Objective analysis and future comparison
- Second opinions
- Parent education
- Standardization of services across a medical system
This care model results in a decrease in the number of infants requiring ROP treatment. A “watch and wait” approach with increased monitoring helps minimize vision problems that may occur if ROP is treated prematurely. Our program outcomes include no blindness, no cases of disease transmission by camera or photographers, and no missed disease.