What is Telestroke? Revolutionizing Stroke Care with Virtual Neurology Experts
What is Telestroke ?
TeleStroke care equips hospitals to care for patients experiencing strokes via telemedicine, including acute stroke care. Neurology experts work with on-site teams to evaluate and treat stroke cases quickly. Telestroke is the rapid virtual examination of a suspected stroke patient, over the video, including a review of imaging, and recommendation for or against the administration of a clot-busting drug and whether the patient should receive endovascular treatment (physically removing the clot).
Telestroke in Action
Telestroke was one of the first uses of teleNeurology, and remains one of the foundational and most requested neurologic services overall. See how it works in this video:
Types of Stroke
There are two main types of stroke, and although the symptoms are similar, the treatments are different. Diagnostic imaging shows the type of stroke and the location of the blockage, which helps doctors determine the most effective treatment:
Ischemic strokes are caused by a blood clot that blocks the passage of blood to the brain.
For most ischemic strokes, teleNeurologists will recommend the administration of an intravenous thrombolytic drug to dissolve the clot. It must be administered within a certain timeframe after the onset of stroke symptoms. This is why it is so important to recognize the signs of stroke and get medical treatment immediately:
Hemorrhagic strokes are caused when a burst blood vessel interrupts the flow of blood to the brain.
In a hemorrhagic stroke, options include thrombectomy, surgical removal of the blockage using a tool called a stent retriever. If the teleNeurologist recommends endovascular treatment, the patient may be transferred to a more specialized healthcare facility.
More From Access TeleCare
See how Access TeleCare’s teleNeurology programs deliver comprehensive stroke care.
Benefits of Telestroke
- Immediate access to specialists during a crucial, narrow time frame for stroke patients
- Reduced time to diagnosis for rapid treatment
- Increased capacity for patients treated
- Increased patient retention
- Improved rate of clot-busting drug administration
- More lives saved
Conclusion
Incorporating telestroke into a hospital’s care offerings can mean the difference between life and death for stroke patients. By enabling specialists to diagnose and determine the proper treatment for a stroke during the crucial, narrow window of time for the best chances of success, telestroke moves patients through their treatment process more efficiently. Hospitals are able to treat more patients and provide better treatment to those patients, increasing their chance for survival and recovery.
