Conclusion
Implementation of a telestroke programme in a community
hospital is a challenging, demanding initiative.
The end result of improving the scope, quality, and
speed of stroke treatment is a major improvement for
the community and our patients. Our telemedicine
programme has enabled us to provide 24-hour 7-day a
week neurological consultation for stroke patients
coming to our ED. The stroke system of care in our
hospital has been enhanced, helping us to partner with
the community for stroke prevention education, and we
are including ongoing programmes for both transient
ischaemic attack and stroke patients. The opportunity
to collaborate with the experts at our hub hospital has
provided not only improved care of the stroke patient
but has also enhanced our staffs professional development.
More poignantly, our staff has now seen the
immediate results of tPA treatment at the bedside, and
the resolution of deficits that could have been permanent
for the patient: this is the truly humanistic outcome
of this programme that has no measure