Expanding the Doctor’s Toolkit: An independent study using remote respiratory clinical examination equipment
(ID 307)
Bromley GP Alliance
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Arc Health stations (Picture 1) provide a useful doctor’s tool with remote self-examination equipment. Bromley GP Alliance completed an independent study demonstrating the efficacy of using the Arc Health station digital stethoscope in their focused Respiratory hub during the Covid19 pandemic.
STUDY DESIGN:
86 patients with respiratory symptoms were first examined using the digital stethoscope (via video directed self-examination), then directly compared with conventional clinician F2F examination (7 doctors participated in the study).
Outcomes measured included:
-Positive findings (crackles, bilateral basal crepitations or wheeze with both Arc and F2F)
-Positive unique findings (above findings confirmed by only one method of examination either Arc or F2F)
-No findings (normal examination with both Arc and F2F)
ANALYSIS:
Figure 1 demonstrates statistically similar outcomes for all three clinical findings between F2F and Arc for the 79 patients included in the study.
An exact McNemar’s test determined no statistically significant difference in the proportion of positive or negative findings using either Arc or F2F, p = 1.0; allowing acceptance of the null hypothesis that there would be no difference between F2F vs Arc examination findings.
Figure 2 demonstrates that on auscultation, positive unique signs were found in only 3% of Arc examinations (not substantiated by F2F), and reliably that no clinical chest signs were missed by the innovative technology.
MEASUREMENT OF IMPROVEMENT:
This unique study indicates that we are unlikely to miss clinical findings by using Arc. The statistics highlight the consistency and reproducibility of the Arc digital stethoscope.
Arc provides quality auscultation examination findings to support clinical management of remote consultations with respiratory complaints.
With the overwhelming need for increased access to high quality care, Arc remote examination technology could provide solutions in setting up local Respiratory diagnostics hubs, for example breathlessness services, across pharmacy or other locations or for conducting virtual respiratory reviews in primary care and other community settings.
(ID 307)" />Funding: None
Conflicts of interest: There are no conflicts of interest influencing this abstract submission.
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