Hess DC, Wang S, Gross H, Nichols FT, Hall CE, Adams RJ. Telestroke: extending stroke expertise into underserved areas.
Lancet Neurol 2006;
5:275-8. [PMID:
16488383 DOI:
10.1016/s1474-4422(06)70377-5]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Telestroke systems offer the opportunity to extend stroke-care expertise into rural and underserved areas. These systems are being used to give alteplase to patients with stroke in previously underserved areas safely, effectively, and rapidly. Telestroke will probably play a large part in improving the quality of stroke care and in enrolling patients into clinical trials in rural and community hospitals. One such telestroke system, REACH (remote evaluation of acute ischaemic stroke), is a low-cost, web-based system that allows the consultant to access the system from work, home, or on the road. REACH is presently being used to give alteplase and guide acute stroke care in eight rural community hospitals in Georgia.
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