What It Is
Telestroke utilises video-conferencing technology to allow neurologists to remotely guide the administration of Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activators (r-TPA) for eligible patients with acute stroke. The medication, if given to these patients within 3 hours of stroke onset, can help to improve patient outcomes and reduce disability.
With the help of Telestroke, neurologists are able to assess patients with acute ischemic stroke at hospitals without 24/7 in-house neurology services, in real time, with the hospital's A&E doctor. This enables neurologists to make timely evaluation of the patient's suitability to be treated with the 'clot-busting' drug, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).
Background
National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) and IHiS have set up the Telestroke network between NNI and Changi General Hospital in February and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in August 2011.
IHiS is planning to set up Telestroke links for more hospitals.
How It Works
Telestroke uses a Hub and Spoke model. National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), the comprehensive stroke centre, serves as the Hub, and the hospitals without 24/7 in-house neurology services are the spoke.
The hospital A&E doctor activates the neurologist on-call at NNI and sends the patient's brain CT scan via the Telestroke server to the neurologist. With the help of the Telestroke system, the neurologist is able to remotely assess the patient and collaborate with the A&E doctor via video conferencing.
If r-TPA is needed, the neurologist will remotely guide A&E doctor's administration of the drug.
Benefits
For Healthcare Staff
Telestroke has given NNI specialists virtual mobility to perform consultations anywhere and provide faster response and optimal treatment for more stroke patients round-the-clock.
The technology has also revolutionised how NNI organises its limited pool of specialists. The hub and spoke model allows neurological expertise to be concentrated at NNI to serve multiple hospitals and treat more patients more quickly and efficiently.
For Patients
Acute stroke patients are able to receive timelier evaluations, with real-time remote access to stroke specialists. They no longer have to be redirected to other hospitals for urgent acute stroke care, allowing for early treatment to improve patient outcomes.
As of September 2014, Telestroke at Changi General Hospital and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital has enabled neurologists to make timely assessment of over 1,050 ischemic stroke patients and treat more than 350 patients with tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA).
