title: International Telestroke: The First Five Cases.
abstract: Telestroke services can improve access to stroke thrombolysis. To address challenges of night time coverage we explored the feasibility of an international telestroke service between Scotland and New Zealand taking advantage of international time zone differences. After addressing medico-legal, governance, and technical issues we tested this international service model and here we present the first 5 cases. Based on our initial experience this new model of care appears feasible and has the potential to improve patient care through reduced doctor fatigue and improved access to expert care in regions where stroke specialist input is limited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Wellington Regional Hospital and University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand. Electronic address: anna.ranta@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Annemarei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ranta
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, NHS Lanarkshire, Wishaw Hospital, Wishaw, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Palmerston North Hospital, MidCentral Health, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Chaminda
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gunawardana
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Palmerston North Hospital, MidCentral Health, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cariga
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Palmerston North Hospital, MidCentral Health, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Iniesta
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Palmerston North Hospital, MidCentral Health, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Imogen
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: JIT Action Group, Scottish Centre for Telehealth and Telecare, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reoch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D020521:Stroke / Q000628:therapy*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Stroke; Telestroke; health service delivery; thrombolysis