Evaluating the Impact of a System-Wide Prehospital Teleconsultation on Rural Stroke Transportation Efficiency
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Key Points
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of prehospital teleconsultations in improving transportation efficiency for rural stroke patients with suspected large vessel occlusion.
Conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from Alberta, Canada.
Analyzed emergency medical services–initiated consultations for suspected acute strokes.
Assessed transport efficiency using a novel metric called the Stroke Speedometer.
67.6% of patients were transported directly to comprehensive stroke centers.
Direct transport to comprehensive stroke centers showed a significantly faster Stroke Speedometer of 53 km/h.
Younger patients (median age 74 years) were more likely transported directly to comprehensive centers.