The use of telemedicine to assess a paediatric patient with arrhythmia presenting to a remote community coronavirus assessment centre

Abstract

In 2020, a girl aged 5 years presented to the coronavirus assessment centre on a remote Scottish island with symptoms consistent with novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Her mother was concerned as she had noted the patient to have an irregular pulse. COVID-19 has been shown to cause cardiac arrhythmia, and so after discussion with tertiary paediatric cardiology services an ECG was recommended. In order to minimise potential spread of coronavirus in the healthcare setting a portable ECG device was immediately delivered to the patient, with the ECG tracing being sent electronically to a cardiologist. A formal diagnosis was then communicated to the parents within 2 hours of the initial contact.