Table 1

Comparison of traditional in-person subspecialty consultative programme and new Inpatient eConsult Programme

	Traditional in-person consult	Inpatient eConsult
Requester
Patient’s role in consultative service request	Ordered at discretion of primary team in discussion with patient	Ordered at discretion of primary team in discussion with patient Documentation that patient is aware that eConsult is being requested
Consultative service request	Electronic specialty consult order (±verbal communication with consulting physician)	Electronic specialty eConsult order (±verbal communication with consulting physician)
Responder
Direct patient care	Patient interview and examination	None
Information source	Patient, EHR, primary team	EHR and primary team
PPE and equipment use	Yes	No
Time to perform	Longer	Shorter
Physician location	On site	Remote or on-site
Response time	Within 24 hours	Within 24 hours but usually shorter, after hours responses
Documentation requirements	Chief complaint, history, review of systems, exam and medical decision making based on level of evaluation and management service provided	Consultant’s opinion and time spent
Billing CPT codes	99 251-99255	99451—written communication 99 446-99449—written and verbal communication with primary team
Reimbursement limitations	None	Not reimbursed if inpatient evaluation is required within 14 days

CPT, Current Procedural Terminology codes are used to identify medical services and procedures furnished by qualified healthcare professionals; EHR, electronic health record; PPE, personal protective equipment.