The Telestroke solution to rural thrombolysis

Abstract

More than fifteen years have passed since early intravenous thrombolysis was proven to improve functional outcome in acute ischaemic stroke. However, this effective treatment is still poorly utilised in rural areas where there is a shortage of stroke specialists required for safe thrombolysis. Due to long travel times from rural hospitals to stroke centres offering thrombolysis, rural patients often fail to present within the 4.5 hour eligibility window for thrombolysis. Furthermore, the delay in receiving thrombolysis is associated with more resultant disability, as time to treatment is critical in determining functional outcome. "Telestroke," the application of telemedicine in assessment a..