[Telestroke in eastern Switzerland].

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Telemedicine
• Health Services Research

Context:

• Stroke care delivery in hospitals lacking full-time neurological services.
• Implementation of a tele-stroke network linking a district hospital to a stroke center since 2011.
• Utilizing audiovisual communication and remote access to neuroimaging for 24/7 consultations.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of tele-stroke networks for acute stroke patient management.
• To assess the impact of remote neurological support on treatment decisions, including thrombolysis and endovascular reperfusion.
• To explore the potential of telemedical support for improving healthcare access in rural areas.

Summary:

• The study details the establishment and promising outcomes of a tele-stroke network connecting Grabs district hospital to St. Gallen cantonal hospital.
• The network facilitated guideline-driven acute stroke care, enabling safe and increased administration of thrombolysis.
• Experiences highlighted successful patient selection for reperfusion therapies, demonstrating quality and safety improvements.

Impact:

• Tele-stroke networks show potential to enhance acute stroke therapy provision in underserved rural regions.
• The model suggests broader applicability for telemedical support across various neurological indications.
• Improved access to specialized neurological care can be achieved through established tele-stroke infrastructure.