Telestroke Services are Revolutionizing Stroke Care
Telestroke Services Access to Timely Stroke Treatment Telestroke services are helping expand access to timely stroke treatment for patients in rural and remote areas. By leveraging telemedicine technology, stroke specialists can evaluate patients and determine appropriate care even when an on-site neurologist is not available. This allows more patients to receive care within the critical window needed for stroke treatments like thrombolysis. Studies have found telestroke consultations can significantly reduce time to treatment compared to transferring patients to regional stroke centers. For example, one study found telestroke reduced treatment time by an average of 31 minutes. Faster treatment leads to better outcomes, with patients regaining more independence and avoiding long-term disabilities. Ensuring Appropriate Treatment Recommendations Telestroke consults allow remote specialists to perform a comprehensive neurological exam in real-time. They can view CT or MRI scans to a...