Der Nervenarzt | 2021
[Telemedicine in stroke-pertinent to stroke care in Germany].
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE\nTelemedical stroke networks improve stroke care and provide access to time-dependent acute stroke treatment in predominantly rural regions. The aim is a\xa0presentation of data on its utility and regional distribution.\n\n\nMETHODS\nThe working group on telemedical stroke care of the German Stroke Society performed a\xa0survey study among all telestroke networks.\n\n\nRESULTS\nCurrently, 22\xa0telemedical stroke networks including 43\xa0centers (per network: median 1.5, interquartile range, IQR, 1-3) as well as 225 cooperating hospitals (per network: median\xa09, IQR 4-17) operate in Germany and contribute to acute stroke care delivery to 48\xa0million people. In 2018, 38,211 teleconsultations (per network: median 1340, IQR 319-2758) were performed. The thrombolysis rate was 14.1% (95% confidence interval 13.6-14.7%) and transfer for thrombectomy was initiated in 7.9% (95% confidence interval 7.5-8.4%) of ischemic stroke patients. Financial reimbursement differs regionally with compensation for telemedical stroke care in only three federal states.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nTelemedical stroke care is utilized in about\xa01 out of 10\xa0stroke patients in Germany. Telemedical stroke networks achieve similar rates of thrombolysis and transfer for thrombectomy compared with neurological stroke units and contribute to stroke care in rural regions. Standardization of network structures, financial assurance and uniform quality measurements may further strengthen the importance of telestroke networks in the future.