What does this research mean for the field?

By 2025, all 14 hospitals in the system achieved stroke care certification, with 12 recognized by GWTG Stroke Quality Awards for excellence in care. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to evaluate the impact of a dedicated neuroscience service line and teleneurology services on stroke care delivery in Central Appalachia.

February 2, 2026Stroke

Abstract DP376: Transforming Stroke and Neuroscience Care in Central Appalachia: A Rural Hospital System’s Journey (2020-2025): A Comprehensive Evaluation of Programmatic Expansion, Quality Initiatives, and Outcomes

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Key result

System-wide stroke program expansion achieves care certification across all 14 hospitals.

Population

14 hospitals and more than 90 clinics in Central Appalachia

Comparison

Programmatic expansion and quality initiatives across 2020-2025 vs baseline in 2020

Design

Quality improvement program evaluation

Authors

RJRachel JenkinsAppalachian Regional Healthcare

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

May encourage telestroke networks for rural certification gains; leaves open prospective outcome validation.

Key Points

The aim is to evaluate the impact of a dedicated neuroscience service line and teleneurology services on stroke care delivery in Central Appalachia.
Launched a neuroscience service line with appointed directors.
Introduced teleneurology and telestroke services across multiple hospitals.
Implemented artificial intelligence for stroke detection and triage.
Created standardized clinical protocols and education matrices for staff training.
Facilitated regular meetings among stroke coordinators for best practices.
Achieved stroke certification for all 14 hospitals by 2025.
Recognized 12 hospitals with GWTG Stroke Quality Awards.
Increased access to neurological care in remote communities.
Enhanced workforce stability and multidisciplinary collaboration in stroke care.

Structured PICO

Population

A rural hospital system in Central Appalachia comprising 14 hospitals and over 90 clinics

Intervention

Programmatic expansion including a dedicated neuroscience service line, teleneurology/telestroke services, AI for stroke detection (Viz.ai), standardized clinical protocols, and integration of the Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) Stroke program

Comparator

Baseline status in 2020 (prior to full programmatic expansion)

Outcome

Hospital stroke care certification status and receipt of Get With The Guidelines Stroke Quality Awards

Implementation of a comprehensive neuroscience service line with telestroke and AI capabilities successfully expanded stroke certification and quality of care across a rural 14-hospital network.

Cite This Study

Rachel Jenkins (2026) studied this question. By 2025, all 14 hospitals in the system achieved stroke care certification, with 12 recognized by GWTG Stroke Quality Awards for excellence in care.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6980fbf6c1c9540dea80dc9e https://doi.org/10.1161/str.57.suppl_1.dp376

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Abstract DP376: Transforming Stroke and Neuroscience Care in Central Appalachia: A Rural Hospital System’s Journey (2020-2025): A Comprehensive Evaluation of Programmatic Expansion, Quality Initiatives, and Outcomes

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Abstract DP376: Transforming Stroke and Neuroscience Care in Central Appalachia: A Rural Hospital System’s Journey (2020-2025): A Comprehensive Evaluation of Programmatic Expansion, Quality Initiatives, and Outcomes

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider