TABLE 2.

Characteristics of the Reported Teleconsultations, 14 Districts of Nepal, July 2020–June 2021 (N=429)

CategoriesNo. (%)
Affiliation of experts providing consultation
Within the district243 (53.7)
Outside the district186 (43.3)
Type of cases consulted
Antenatal120 (28.0)
Delivery242 (56.4)
Postnatal10 (2.3)
Newborn55 (12.8)
Gynecology2 (0.4)
Time of consultation
Day (8 am to 8 pm)263 (61.0)
Night (8 pm to 8 am)166 (39.0)
Reasons for consultation
Prolonged labor126 (29.0)
Eclampsia31 (7.2)
Postdated pregnancy20 (4.6)
Retained placenta17 (3.9)
Fetal malpresentation during delivery (breech/transverse)14 (3.2)
Per vaginal leaking14 (3.2)
Postpartum hemorrhage13 (3.0)
Antepartum hemorrhage12 (2.8)
Irregular/absent fetal heart sound9 (2.1)
Rh incompatibility9 (2.1)
Abortion8 (1.8)
COVID-19 positive3 (0.7)
Other153 (35.0)
Outcome of the cases
Managed inside PHC facilities90 (21.0)
Referred and managed311 (72.5)
Neonatal death24 (5.6)
Stillbirth3 (0.7)
Intrauterine fetal death1 (0.2)
Means of transportation used to reach referral center
Ambulance128 (29.8)
Hired vehicle127 (29.6)
Public vehicle36 (8.4)
Helicopter20 (4.7)
Stretcher and truck2 (1.4)