| Literature DB >> 26704445 |
Marsha Samson1, Tushar Trivedi2, Khosrow Heidari3.
Abstract
Telestroke centers can increase access to proper and timely diagnosis and treatment of stroke, especially for rural populations, thereby reducing disability and death. Census tract information was used to map primary stroke centers geographically and to identify areas that would benefit from additional access to medical care via telestroke centers (health care facilities that provide information on stroke care from a distance). Results indicate that in 2013, approximately half of the South Carolina population did not have access to a primary stroke center within a 30-minute drive of their home, and 30% did not have access within 60 minutes. Increasing access to prompt evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of stroke and improving long-term quality of life requires the addition of telestroke centers in areas without primary stroke centers and examination of the effects of these centers on stroke incidence and mortality in South Carolina.Entities:
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Year: 2015 PMID: 26704445 PMCID: PMC4692474 DOI: 10.5888/pcd12.150418
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Prev Chronic Dis ISSN: 1545-1151 Impact factor: 2.830
Figure 1South Carolina primary stroke centers (PSCs) and the population within a 30-minute drive time (54% of the South Carolina population lives within a 30-minute drive of a PSC).
Figure 2South Carolina primary stroke centers and telestroke centers and the population within a 30-minute or 60-minute drive time (95% of the South Carolina population live within a 60-minute drive of a primary stroke center or a telestroke center, and 76% live within a 30-minute drive).