Comparison of Periodic In-person ID Care to Daily Tele-ID Care at a Community Hospital

A Tele-ID service with daily availability increased the utilization of ID care at a community hospital. Despite higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores in Tele-ID patients, length of stay was shorter and discharge on intravenous antibiotics was less frequent with no statistically significant difference in ID-related readmissions or in-hospital mortality. These findings support daily Tele-ID care as a potential solution where access to ID expertise is limited.