Direct stroke unit access versus a hub-and-spoke model with telemedicine-assisted CT in Germany: a cross-sectional geospatial analysis

Key Points

• Direct stroke unit access leads to better outcomes compared to telemedicine-assisted models, indicating efficiency in care.
• Geospatial analysis shows a significant improvement in access to treatment for 15% of patients within the direct access group.
• Assessment of stroke care pathways reveals the benefits of immediate access to stroke units versus delayed telemedicine assessments.
• Findings suggest that protocols for direct access may reduce treatment times, improving patient prognosis significantly.