INTRODUCTION: Every year in the United States more than 600,000 ischemic stroke patients do not receive proven, effective stroke treatment or may not be medically eligible to receive the one medication endorsed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for acute ischemic stroke. The lack of treatment is due partly to shortages of neurological experts in rural and underserved areas. Telestroke programs can improve stroke care for stroke patients in rural and underserved settings by using interactive telecommunication technology that connects centrally located neurological experts to rural healthcare facilities. Many states have enacted policies and practices that facilitate telestroke access. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed statutes and regulations in all 50 states that affect the adoption of telemedicine programs and describe examples of state-implemented programs in two states with policies that encourage telestroke use. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This review presents evidence of the value and effectiveness of telestroke programs, as well as an explanation of common barriers and facilitators of telestroke, including licensing and credentialing rules, reimbursement issues, and liability concerns. Most states have adopted policies that affect the adoption of telestroke programs. Georgia and South Carolina are examples of states implementing stroke policies using a telestroke model to treat stroke patients in rural areas.
INTRODUCTION: Every year in the United States more than 600,000 ischemic strokepatients do not receive proven, effective stroke treatment or may not be medically eligible to receive the one medication endorsed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for acute ischemic stroke. The lack of treatment is due partly to shortages of neurological experts in rural and underserved areas. Telestroke programs can improve stroke care for strokepatients in rural and underserved settings by using interactive telecommunication technology that connects centrally located neurological experts to rural healthcare facilities. Many states have enacted policies and practices that facilitate telestroke access. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed statutes and regulations in all 50 states that affect the adoption of telemedicine programs and describe examples of state-implemented programs in two states with policies that encourage telestroke use. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This review presents evidence of the value and effectiveness of telestroke programs, as well as an explanation of common barriers and facilitators of telestroke, including licensing and credentialing rules, reimbursement issues, and liability concerns. Most states have adopted policies that affect the adoption of telestroke programs. Georgia and South Carolina are examples of states implementing stroke policies using a telestroke model to treat strokepatients in rural areas.
Authors: Steven L Wolf; Komal Sahu; R Curtis Bay; Sharon Buchanan; Aimee Reiss; Susan Linder; Anson Rosenfeldt; Jay Alberts Journal: Neurorehabil Neural Repair Date: 2015-03-17 Impact factor: 3.919
Authors: Christopher M Shea; Amir Alishahi Tabriz; Kea Turner; Steve North; Kristin L Reiter Journal: J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis Date: 2018-05-18 Impact factor: 2.136
Authors: Eyad Almallouhi; Sami Al Kasab; Michael Nahhas; Jillian B Harvey; Juanita Caudill; Nancy Turner; Ellen Debenham; Dan-Victor Giurgiutiu; Enrique C Leira; Jeffrey A Switzer; Christine A Holmstedt Journal: Neurol Clin Pract Date: 2020-10
Authors: George Howard; Dawn O Kleindorfer; Mary Cushman; D Leann Long; Adam Jasne; Suzanne E Judd; John C Higginbotham; Virginia J Howard Journal: Stroke Date: 2017-06-16 Impact factor: 7.914