In a scientific statement published online in Stroke, researchers present evidence supporting the use of telemedicine for the delivery of stroke care. Telemedicine is the transfer of medical information over the phone, internet, or other communications networks for the purpose of consultation and even examinations or medical procedures.

A review of the scientific evidence concludes that high-quality videoconferencing systems can be used by remote stroke specialists to carry out National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)-telestroke assessment when a bedside examination is not available for patients with symptoms suspicious for acute stroke. The review also showed that telestroke provides results that are comparable to actual bedside consults. These telestroke examinations should be supported by the use of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved teleradiology system so that CT and MRI scans can be reviewed by the remote stroke specialist. Telemedicine helps to eliminate disparities in access to health care, including acute stroke care, due to geography, allowing patients in areas without acute stroke expertise to benefit from consultation with a stroke specialist.

However, the widespread implementation of telestroke systems requires a change in reimbursement for telemedicine. An accompanying policy recommendation statement addressing this reimbursement issue was also published online May 7, 2009 in Stroke.

Source: Stroke. Published online before print May 7, 2009.