Utility of telemedicine in tracheostomy-dependent children.

Objectives: Telemedicine can improve access to pediatric otolaryngology care by decreasing travel time and cost, and lowering the risk of viral transmission during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aims to identify the clinical role and outcomes of telemedicine for tracheostomy-dependent children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of 42 tracheostomy-dependent pediatric patients who utilized telemedicine between October 2013 and April 2020 (pre-COVID-19), and 111 patients who utilized telemedicine between May 2020 and July 2021 (during COVID-19) at a tertiary free-standing children's hospital outpatient clinic.