Telemedicine helps rural EDs access critical neurology expertise for stroke patients.

Some rural hospitals that lack access to neurologists on site are obtaining this expertise through telemedicine hookups. The approach is particularly helpful in the case of patients exhibiting symptoms of stroke because time-to-treatment is critical in many of these patients, and yet determining which patients should receive clot-busting therapy can be tricky because the treatment comes with serious risks. Experts say a telemedicine program can offer dividends, but that effective implementation requires ongoing education. Since Sierra Vista Regional Health Center in Sierra Vista, AZ, began working with the TeleStroke Program at Carondelet Neurological Institute in Tucson, AZ, the time-to-treatment for stroke patients has remained under the 60-minute target urged by specialists. To gear up for such a program, ED staff need to be trained in program protocols, and technical issues need to be addressed so that neurologists at the specialty center can access CT results, as well as carry out video consultations with hospital providers and patients. Experts advise hospitals to see first-hand how other hospitals are utilizing telemedicine consultations for stroke patients before establishing a program themselves.