Use of Telehealth for Domiciliary Follow-up After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prospective Pilot Study

Abstract

BackgroundPatients who have recently received a hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) are at higher risk of acute complications in the first weeks after discharge, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to test the use of a telehealth platform for the follow-up of HCT patients during the first two weeks after discharge. MethodsIn total, 21 patients who received autologous or allogeneic HCT for hematological malignancies were screened from April 30, 2020, to July 15, 2020. The telehealth platform assisted in the daily collection of vital signs as well as physical and psychological symptoms for two weeks after hospital discharge. The required medical devices (oximeter and blood pressure monitor) were given to patients and a dedicated smartphone app was developed to collect this data. The data were reviewed daily through web-based software by a hematologist specializing in HCT. ResultsOnly 12 of 21 patients were able to join and complete the study. Technological barriers were the most frequent limiting factor in this study. Among the 12 patients who completed the study, adherence to data reporting was high. The patients’ experience of using such a system was considered good. In two cases, the system enabled the early recognition of acute complications. ConclusionsThis pilot study showed that telehealth systems can be applied in the early posttransplant setting, with evident advantages for physicians and patients for both medical and psychological aspects. Technological issues still represent a challenge for the applicability of such a system, especially for older adult patients. Easier-to-use technologies could help to expand the use of telehealth systems in this setting in the future.