Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations: Telestroke Best Practice Guidelines Update 2017

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Health Services Research
• Telemedicine

Background:

• Stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) affect approximately 62,000 Canadians annually.
• Effective stroke management requires timely intervention and coordinated care across various settings.
• Existing healthcare systems face challenges in providing specialized stroke care, particularly in remote or underserved areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the 2016 update of the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations Telestroke guideline.
• To outline evidence-based recommendations for utilizing telemedicine in stroke care.
• To guide healthcare providers and system planners in organizing and delivering stroke patient care.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review and synthesis of current evidence on telestroke.
• Development of consensus-based recommendations for telestroke implementation.
• Focus on acute thrombolytic therapy, patient transfer protocols, and remote rehabilitation services.

Main Results:

• Telestroke facilitates rapid identification and treatment of acute stroke patients in hospitals lacking specialized expertise.
• Telemedicine enables efficient selection of patients for transfer to stroke centers for Endovascular Therapy.
• Remote access to stroke prevention and rehabilitation services is enhanced through virtual platforms.

Conclusions:

• Telestroke guidelines provide a framework for improving acute stroke care and post-stroke recovery.
• Virtual rehabilitation offers new avenues for patient participation and therapist supervision.
• Addressing limitations like telecommunication access is crucial for maximizing telestroke benefits.