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Kim J, Olaiya MT, De Silva DA, Norrving B, Bosch J, De Sousa DA, Christensen HK, Ranta A, Donnan GA, Feigin V, Martins S, Schwamm LH, Werring DJ, Howard G, Owolabi M, Pandian J, Mikulik R, Thayabaranathan T, Cadilhac DA. Global stroke statistics 2023: Availability of reperfusion services around the world. Int J Stroke 2024; 19:253-270. [PMID: 37853529 PMCID: PMC10903148 DOI: 10.1177/17474930231210448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disparities in the availability of reperfusion services for acute ischemic stroke are considerable globally and require urgent attention. Contemporary data on the availability of reperfusion services in different countries are used to provide the necessary evidence to prioritize where access to acute stroke treatment is needed. AIMS To provide a snapshot of published literature on the provision of reperfusion services globally, including when facilitated by telemedicine or mobile stroke unit services. METHODS We searched PubMed to identify original articles, published up to January 2023 for the most recent, representative, and relevant patient-level data for each country. Keywords included thrombolysis, endovascular thrombectomy and telemedicine. We also screened reference lists of review articles, citation history of articles, and the gray literature. The information is provided as a narrative summary. RESULTS Of 11,222 potentially eligible articles retrieved, 148 were included for review following de-duplications and full-text review. Data were also obtained from national stroke clinical registry reports, Registry of Stroke Care Quality (RES-Q) and PRE-hospital Stroke Treatment Organization (PRESTO) repositories, and other national sources. Overall, we found evidence of the provision of intravenous thrombolysis services in 70 countries (63% high-income countries (HICs)) and endovascular thrombectomy services in 33 countries (68% HICs), corresponding to far less than half of the countries in the world. Recent data (from 2019 or later) were lacking for 35 of 67 countries with known year of data (52%). We found published data on 74 different stroke telemedicine programs (93% in HICs) and 14 active mobile stroke unit pre-hospital ambulance services (80% in HICs) around the world. CONCLUSION Despite remarkable advancements in reperfusion therapies for stroke, it is evident from available patient-level data that their availability remains unevenly distributed globally. Contemporary published data on availability of reperfusion services remain scarce, even in HICs, thereby making it difficult to reliably ascertain current gaps in the provision of this vital acute stroke treatment around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joosup Kim
- Stroke and Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Stroke Theme, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Muideen T Olaiya
- Stroke and Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Deidre A De Silva
- Department of Neurology, Singapore General Hospital Campus, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore
| | - Bo Norrving
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Neurology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jackie Bosch
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Diana A De Sousa
- Department of Neurosciences (Neurology), Hospital de Santa Maria, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hanne K Christensen
- Department of Neurology, University of Copenhagen and Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna Ranta
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Geoffrey A Donnan
- Melbourne Brain Centre, The University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Valery Feigin
- National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sheila Martins
- Neurology Department, Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - David J Werring
- Stroke Research Centre, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - George Howard
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Mayowa Owolabi
- Center for Genomic and Precision Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Jeyaraj Pandian
- Department of Neurology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India
| | - Robert Mikulik
- Health Management Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
- Neurology Department, Bata Hospital, Zlin, Czech Republic
| | - Tharshanah Thayabaranathan
- Stroke and Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Dominique A Cadilhac
- Stroke and Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Stroke Theme, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
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Rawson J, Petrone A, Adcock A. Single-step Optimization in Triaging Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes: Identifying Factors to Improve Door-to-groin Time for Endovascular Therapy. West J Emerg Med 2023; 24:737-742. [PMID: 37527384 PMCID: PMC10393444 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.59770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although acute stroke endovascular therapy (EVT) has dramatically improved outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusions (LVO), access to EVT-capable centers remains limited, particularly in rural areas. Therefore, it is essential to optimize triage systems for EVT-eligible patients. One strategy may be the use of a telestroke network that typically consists of multiple spoke sites that receive a consultation to determine appropriateness of patient transfer to an EVT-capable hub site. Standardization of AIS protocols may be necessary to achieve target door-to-groin (DTG) times of less than 60 minutes in EVT-eligible patients upon hub arrival. Specifically, the decision to obtain vascular imaging at the transferring hub site vs delaying until arrival at the hub is controversial. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with reduced DTG time in LVO-AIS patients. METHODS We performed a retrospective chart review for all patients treated over a 3.5-year period at our home hub institution. Patients were classified as telestroke transfers, non-telestroke transfers, and direct-to-hub presentations. We recorded demographic information, DTG time, reperfusion status, length of stay (LOS), functional status at discharge, seven-day mortality, and the site where vascular imaging- computed tomography angiography (CTA)-was obtained. We performed binary logistic regression to identify factors associated with DTG <60 minutes. RESULTS In the sample of EVT-eligible patients (n = 383), CTA was performed at the spoke site prior to transfer to the hub institution in 53% of cases. Further, 59% of telestroke transfer cases received a CTA prior to transfer compared to only 40% of non-telestroke transfers (59 vs 40%, P = 0.01). A Door-to-groin time <60 minutes was achieved in 67% of transfer patients who received pre-transfer CTA compared to only 22% of transfer patients who received CTA upon hub arrival and 17% of patients who presented directly to the hub. Ultimately, transfer patients who received CTA prior to transfer were 7.2 times more likely to have a DTG <60 minutes compared to those who did not (OR 7.2, 95% confidence interval 3.5-14.7; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Pre-transfer computed tomography angiography was the only significant predictor of achieving target door-to-groin times of less than 60 minutes. Because DTG time has been well established as a predictor of clinical outcomes, including pre-transfer CTA in a standardized acute ischemic stroke protocol may prove beneficial. Our findings also illustrate the need to optimize direct-to-hub stroke alerts and telestroke relationships to minimize workflow disruptions, which became more apparent during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Rawson
- West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Ashley Petrone
- West Virginia University, Department of Pathology, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Amelia Adcock
- West Virginia University, Department of Neurology; Cerebrovascular Division, Morgantown, West Virginia
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Jackson TN, Sreedhara M, Bostic M, Spafford M, Popat S, Lowe Beasley K, Jordan J, Ahn R. Telehealth Use to Address Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension in the United States: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 2011-2021. TELEMEDICINE REPORTS 2023; 4:67-86. [PMID: 37283852 PMCID: PMC10240316 DOI: 10.1089/tmr.2023.0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Background The use of telehealth for the management and treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has increased across the United States (U.S.), especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth has the potential to reduce barriers to accessing health care and improve clinical outcomes. However, implementation, outcomes, and health equity implications related to these strategies are not well understood. The purpose of this review was to identify how telehealth is being used by U.S. health care professionals and health systems to manage hypertension and CVD and to describe the impact these telehealth strategies have on hypertension and CVD outcomes, with a special focus on social determinants of health and health disparities. Methods This study comprised a narrative review of the literature and meta-analyses. The meta-analyses included articles with intervention and control groups to examine the impact of telehealth interventions on changes to select patient outcomes, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A total of 38 U.S.-based interventions were included in the narrative review, with 14 yielding data eligible for the meta-analyses. Results The telehealth interventions reviewed were used to treat patients with hypertension, heart failure, and stroke, with most interventions employing a team-based care approach. These interventions utilized the expertise of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals to collaborate on patient decisions and provide direct care. Among the 38 interventions reviewed, 26 interventions utilized remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices mostly for blood pressure monitoring. Half the interventions used a combination of strategies (e.g., videoconferencing and RPM). Patients using telehealth saw significant improvements in clinical outcomes such as blood pressure control, which were comparable to patients receiving in-person care. In contrast, the outcomes related to hospitalizations were mixed. There were also significant decreases in all-cause mortality when compared to usual care. No study explicitly focused on addressing social determinants of health or health disparities through telehealth for hypertension or CVD. Conclusions Telehealth appears to be comparable to traditional in-person care for managing blood pressure and CVD and may be seen as a complement to existing care options for some patients. Telehealth can also support team-based care delivery and may benefit patients and health care professionals by increasing opportunities for communication, engagement, and monitoring outside a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meera Sreedhara
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Cherokee Nation Operational Solutions, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Myles Bostic
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Veritas Management Group, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Shena Popat
- NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kincaid Lowe Beasley
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Julia Jordan
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Roy Ahn
- NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Worthmann H, Winzer S, Schuppner R, Gumbinger C, Barlinn J. Telestroke networks for area-wide access to endovascular stroke treatment. Neurol Res Pract 2023; 5:9. [PMID: 36864498 PMCID: PMC9983226 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-023-00237-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endovascular therapy (EVT) offers a highly effective therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. Comprehensive stroke centers (CSC) are required to provide permanent accessibility to EVT. However, when affected patients are not located in the immediate catchment area of a CSC, i.e. in rural or structurally weaker areas, access to EVT is not always ensured. MAIN BODY Telestroke networks play a crucial role in closing this healthcare coverage gap and thereby support specialized stroke treatment. The aim of this narrative review is to elaborate the concepts for the indication and transfer of EVT candidates via telestroke networks in acute stroke care. The targeted readership includes both comprehensive stroke centers and peripheral hospitals. The review is intended to identify ways to design care beyond those areas with narrow access to stroke unit care to provide the indicated highly effective acute therapies on a region-wide basis. Here, the two different models of care: "mothership" and "drip-and-ship" concerning rates of EVT and its complications as well as outcomes are compared. Decisively, forward-looking new model approaches such as a third model the "flying/driving interentionalists" are introduced and discussed, as far as few clinical trials have investigated these approaches. Diagnostic criteria used by the telestroke networks to enable appropriate patient selection for secondary intrahospital emergency transfers are displayed, which need to meet the criteria in terms of speed, quality and safety. CONCLUSION The few findings from the studies with telestroke networks are neutral for comparison in the drip-and-ship and mothership models. Supporting spoke centres through telestroke networks currently seems to be the best option for offering EVT to a population in structurally weaker regions without direct access to a CSC. Here, it is essential to map the individual reality of care depending on the regional circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Worthmann
- Klinik Für Neurologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30623, Hannover, Germany.
| | - S. Winzer
- grid.412282.f0000 0001 1091 2917Klinik Für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - R. Schuppner
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Klinik Für Neurologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30623 Hannover, Germany
| | - C. Gumbinger
- grid.5253.10000 0001 0328 4908Klinik Für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - J. Barlinn
- grid.412282.f0000 0001 1091 2917Klinik Für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Totten AM, Womack DM, Griffin JC, McDonagh MS, Davis-O'Reilly C, Blazina I, Grusing S, Elder N. Telehealth-guided provider-to-provider communication to improve rural health: A systematic review. J Telemed Telecare 2022:1357633X221139892. [PMID: 36567431 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x221139892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Telehealth may address healthcare disparities for rural populations. This systematic review assesses the use, effectiveness, and implementation of telehealth-supported provider-to-provider collaboration to improve rural healthcare. METHODS We searched Ovid MEDLINE®, CINAHL®, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL from 1 January 2010 to 12 October 2021 for trials and observational studies of rural provider-to-provider telehealth. Abstracts and full text were dual-reviewed. We assessed the risk of bias for individual studies and strength of evidence for studies with similar outcomes. RESULTS Seven studies of rural uptake of provider-to-provider telehealth documented increases over time but variability across geographic regions. In 97 effectiveness studies, outcomes were similar with rural provider-to-provider telehealth versus without for inpatient consultations, neonatal care, outpatient depression and diabetes, and emergency care. Better or similar results were reported for changes in rural clinician behavior, knowledge, confidence, and self-efficacy. Evidence was insufficient for other clinical uses and outcomes. Sixty-seven (67) evaluation and qualitative studies identified barriers and facilitators to implementing rural provider-to-provider telehealth. Success was linked to well-functioning technology, sufficient resources, and adequate payment. Barriers included lack of understanding of rural context and resources. Methodologic weaknesses of studies included less rigorous study designs and small samples. DISCUSSION Rural provider-to-provider telehealth produces similar or better results versus care without telehealth. Barriers to rural provider-to-provider telehealth implementation are common to practice change but include some specific to rural adaptation and adoption. Evidence gaps are partially due to studies that do not address differences in the groups compared or do not include sufficient sample sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dana M Womack
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ian Blazina
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sara Grusing
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Nancy Elder
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Williams D, Simpson AN, King K, Kruis RD, Ford DW, Sterling SA, Castillo A, Robinson CO, Simpson KN, Summers RL. Do Hospitals Providing Telehealth in Emergency Departments Have Lower Emergency Department Costs? Telemed J E Health 2020; 27:1011-1020. [PMID: 33185503 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2020.0349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Since 2003, the University of Mississippi Medical Center has operated a robust telehealth emergency department (ED) network, TelEmergency, which enhances access to emergency medicine-trained physicians at participating rural hospitals. TelEmergency was developed as a cost-control measure for financially constrained rural hospitals to improve access to quality, emergency care. However, the literature remains unclear as to whether ED telehealth services can be provided at lower costs compared with traditional in-person ED services. Introduction: Our objective was to empirically determine whether TelEmergency was associated with lower ED costs at rural hospitals when compared with similar hospitals without TelEmergency between 2010 and 2017. Materials and Methods: A panel of data for 2010-2017 was constructed at the hospital level. Hospitals with TelEmergency (n = 14 hospitals; 112 hospital-years) were compared with similar hospitals that did not use TelEmergency from Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina (n = 102; 766 hospital-years), matched using Coarsened Exact Matching. The relationship between total ED costs and treatment (e.g., participation in TelEmergency) was predicted using generalized estimating equations with a Poisson distribution, a log link, an exchangeable error term, and robust standard errors. Results: After controlling for ownership type, critical access hospital status, year, and size, TelEmergency was associated with an estimated 31.4% lower total annual ED costs compared with similar matched hospitals that did not provide TelEmergency. Conclusions: TelEmergency utilization was associated with significantly lower total annual ED costs compared with similarly matched hospitals that did not utilize TelEmergency. These findings suggest that access to quality ED care in rural communities can occur at lower costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dunc Williams
- Department of Healthcare Leadership & Management, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Center for Telehealth-Telehealth Center of Excellence, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Annie N Simpson
- Department of Healthcare Leadership & Management, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Center for Telehealth-Telehealth Center of Excellence, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kathryn King
- Center for Telehealth-Telehealth Center of Excellence, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Ryan D Kruis
- Center for Telehealth-Telehealth Center of Excellence, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Dee W Ford
- Center for Telehealth-Telehealth Center of Excellence, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Sarah A Sterling
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Alexandra Castillo
- Center for Telehealth-Telehealth Center of Excellence University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.,Center for Informatics and Analytics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Cory O Robinson
- Department of Healthcare Leadership & Management, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kit N Simpson
- Department of Healthcare Leadership & Management, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Center for Telehealth-Telehealth Center of Excellence, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Richard L Summers
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.,Center for Telehealth-Telehealth Center of Excellence University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
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