Stroke telemedicine.
Stroke telemedicine is a consultative modality that facilitates care of patients with acute stroke at underserviced hospitals by specialists at stroke centers. The design and implementation of a hub-and-spoke telestroke network are complex. This review describes the technology that makes stroke telemedicine possible, the members that should be included in a telestroke team, the hub-and-spoke characteristics of a telestroke network, and the format of a typical consultation. Common obstacles to the practice of telestroke medicine are explored, such as medicolegal, economic, and market issues. An example of a state-based telestroke network is thoroughly described, and established international telestroke networks are presented and compared. The opportunities for future advances in telestroke practice, research, and education are considered.
Demaerschalk
Bart M
BM
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Hospital, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA. demaerschalk.bart@mayo.edu
Miley
Madeline L
ML
Kiernan
Terri-Ellen J
TE
Bobrow
Bentley J
BJ
Corday
Doren A
DA
Wellik
Kay E
KE
Aguilar
Maria I
MI
Ingall
Timothy J
TJ
Dodick
David W
DW
Brazdys
Karina
K
Koch
Tiffany C
TC
Ward
Michael P
MP
Richemont
Phillip C
PC
D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D020521:Stroke / Q000628:therapy*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*