Abstract
Telemedicine using Skype video calls for vascular access problems was attempted among a regional key hospital and satellite hospitals for patients on hemodialysis. Useful information for the initial judgment of the need for intervention or surgery (triage) was efficiently collected in real time. Appropriate instructions of specialized physicians to local medical staff through the system allowed the follow-up of patients without any problems at satellite hospitals. In addition, at the time of acceptance of patients in the key hospital, a more appropriate response could be quickly prepared due to an increased amount of information available about the access problems. The dissemination of this technology is expected to correct the regional disparities in areas without specialized physicians for vascular access.
