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Telestroke in South Carolina
Christos Lazaridis1, Stacia M DeSantis, Edward C Jauch
1Division of Vascular Neurology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; Division of Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurosciences, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
Telestroke services significantly increase thrombolysis rates for stroke patients in remote areas. This telemedicine approach improves access to acute stroke care, especially where treatments like tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) are underutilized.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Telemedicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Thrombolysis administration for stroke is often confined to specialized centers.
- Access to acute stroke care is limited in distant community hospitals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of telemedicine in acute stroke assessment and treatment.
- To increase thrombolysis availability in remote areas.
Main Methods:
- A web-based telestroke tool (REACH-MUSC) was implemented for 24/7 acute stroke care.
- Provided services to 12 community hospitals in South Carolina.
Main Results:
- 965 consults were performed; 35.7% of eligible patients received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA).
- Median onset to treatment times were 152 minutes for IV t-PA and 147 minutes for combined IV/IA therapy.
- Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 1.6% of patients receiving IV t-PA alone.
Conclusions:
- Telestroke significantly increases thrombolysis rates in remote areas.
- Telemedicine enhances access to stroke care where t-PA is underutilized.
