How Access TeleCare breaks barriers to IV thrombolytic use:

Overcoming Neurologist Shortages: Not every hospital or emergency department has access to a neurologist who can determine the type of stroke – ischemic or hemorrhagic – and who can promptly direct administration of the IV thrombolytic and post-thrombolytic care. The shortage of neurologists nationwide is well-documented and is particularly acute in rural areas, leaving many communities without access to emergency neurological expertise in the event of a stroke.

Addressing clinician concerns surrounding
post-thrombolytic complications

Most post-stroke patients will never need neurosurgical intervention. Just 44 of the nearly 800,000 strokes that occur in the U.S. each year would require neurosurgical intervention following IV tPA administration, according to a 2013 study (Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases). Access to teleNeurosurgery consultations can support on-site hospital clinicians’ decision-making for post-thrombolytic patients. Neurosurgical expertise can identify patients who are most likely to need surgical intervention – and assist in initiating transfers for those patients promptly and appropriately to a higher level of care – while retaining patients who don’t require a transfer.

Dr. Annie Tsui
Chief of Neurology | Access TeleCare

“Access TeleCare is pioneering the use of teleNeurosurgery consultations, building on its legacy of leadership in telemedicine and its large teleNeurology footprint.

The addition of on-demand teleNeurosurgery consultations is the next step in building and deploying clinical programs that address the full continuum of neurological care for hospitals of all sizes and improving access to specialty care for patients experiencing a stroke, no matter where they live.”