Prehospital utility of rapid stroke evaluation using in-ambulance telemedicine: a pilot feasibility study.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Prehospital evaluation using telemedicine may accelerate acute stroke treatment with tissue-type plasminogen activator. We explored the feasibility and reliability of using telemedicine in the field and ambulance to help evaluate acute stroke patients.

Methods

Ten unique, scripted stroke scenarios, each conducted 4 times, were portrayed by trained actors retrieved and transported by Houston Fire Department emergency medical technicians to our stroke center. The vascular neurologists performed remote assessments in real time, obtaining clinical data points and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Stroke Scale, using the In-Touch RP-Xpress telemedicine device. Each scripted scenario was recorded for a subsequent evaluation by a second blinded vascular neu

SUBMITTER: Wu TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4116449 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature