Telestroke is a form of telemedicine that allows providers to consult with on-call neurologists in other physical locations to better diagnose and more quickly treat stroke victims. Reducing long-term disability caused by stroke requires quick diagnosis and near immediate treatment, making telestroke a very appealing option.
Telestroke uses remote sharing of brain imaging, videoconferencing and, sometimes, camera robotics to determine diagnosis. Increasingly, health systems are joining together in a “spokes and wheel” approach to telestroke, where many smaller (and often rural or suburban) hospitals join in a telestroke collaboration with a large urban medical center that provides the neurology specialists to consult on cases. These collaborations are typically all in the same state or region to comply with state medical board rules on licensure.