tPA by telephone: extending the benefits of a comprehensive stroke center.
The use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in community hospitals has been limited by a lack of neurologic support. The authors developed a telephone network to support community emergency departments (EDs) in the use of tPA. Their experience demonstrates equivalent results for patients treated by telephone and those treated in-house. Their number of tPA-treated patients increased 72%. Requirements included willingness of community EDs to use tPA and willingness of the stroke center to provide support.
Frey
J L
JL
Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Jahnke
H K
HK
Goslar
P W
PW
Partovi
S
S
Flaster
M S
MS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000639:trends; D006780:Hospitals, Rural / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013689:Telephone; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator