LAUSR

OBJECTIVE To describe the characteristics of a telemonitoring program, rapidly implemented in our institution as a response to COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the maternal and perinatal outcomes of women attending this program. DESIGN STUDY Retrospective study of patients with phone-call telemonitoring during the peak period of COVID-19 pandemic (May to August 2020). Maternal and perinatal outcomes were collected and described. Satisfaction of health providers were carried out by an email survey. RESULTS Twenty-three (69.7%) health providers answered the survey. The mean age was 64.5 years, 91.3% were OB/GYN doctors, 95% agreed that telemonitoring is an adequate method to provide health care when in-person visits are difficult. The 78.7% of scheduled telemonitorings were finally completed. 2181 telemonitoring were carried out on 616 pregnant women and 544 telemonitorings in puerperal women. Other medical specialties offering telemonitoring included gynecology, reproductive health, family planning, cardiology, endocrinology and follow-up of \ of patients with reactive serology to SARS-CoV-2. The majority of the population attending our telemonitoring program were categorized as the lowest stratums, i.e, III and IV according to the Human Development Index (HDI), and about 42% were deemed as obstetric high risk. Additionally, we report the perinatal outcomes of 424 (63%) pregnant women, being the most relevant finding that about 53% of them had cesarean section. CONCLUSION Telemonitoring is an adequate method of continuing the provision of prenatal care when in-person visits are difficult in situations such as COVID-19 pandemic. Telemonitoring is feasible even in institutions with no or little experience in telemedicine. The perinatal outcomes in women with telemonitoring seems to be similar to the general population.