To evaluate the clinical value of 5G-based robotic tele-ultrasound system in quarantined patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019).

A total of 30 patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-2019 who were hospitalized in the quarantine wards of Jinhua Central Hospital from January 20, 2020 to March 1, 2020 were selected. They were examined using either the 5G-based robotic tele-ultrasound system (remote group) or conventional method (beside group). The examination time and diagnosis results of the two groups were compared after examination. The quality of ultrasound images obtained in the two groups was graded by another senior physician. The t-test was used to compare the difference of examination time and image scores between the two groups; kappa test was used to analyze the consistency of the two groups; and Chi-square test was used to compare the accuracy rate of diagnosis.

There were 32 cases of positive results in the two groups, including 21 cases of digestive system diseases, 9 cases of urinary system diseases, and 2 cases of respiratory system diseases. There was no statistically significant difference in the accuracy rate of diagnosis or the score of images between the two groups [86.67% vs 93.94%, χ²=0.052, P=0.173; (4.39±0.30) vs (4.45±0.33), t=-1.614, P=0.108]. The diagnosis results had good consistency between the two groups (Kappa=0.861, P<0.001). The examination time of the remote group was significantly longer than that of the beside group [(25.91±4.80) min vs (11.29±2.27) min, t=19.537, P<0.001].

Although the examination time of 5G-based robotic tele-ultrasound is longer, the quality of image and the accuracy of diagnosis are similar to those of conventional ultrasound. 5G-based robotic tele-ultrasound can partly replace conventional ultrasound in the assessment and diagnosis of quarantined patients with COVID-2019.