Tele-Stroke: Prehospital Identification of Patients With Suspected Stroke Using Onsite Mobile Telemedicine - Feasibility

Prehospital Identification of Patients With Suspected Stroke Using Onsite Mobile Telemedicine

Observational Study to investigate the technical feasibility, implementation into current diagnostic and treatment pathways and the diagnostic accuracy of the remote patient assessment by using mobile telecommunication ahead of hospitalization.

On-site, pre-hospital clinical assessment of patients with suspected acute stroke can accelerate further diagnostic and treatment pathways after patient arrival at the emergency room or the dedicated stroke center. Interactive video and audio streaming connecting on-site paramedics to a stroke center based stroke physicians can help to overcome these hurdles. Patient evaluation by simple, pre-defined assessment measures and a standardized questionnaire may enable a pre-hospital decision on the need of expedited diagnostic and treatment procedures after arrival at the dedicated stroke center.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Any patient older or equal than 18 years with suspected acute stroke as per the first judgement of the paramedics on-site.
• written informed consent by the patient, or legal representative (next-of kin) or informed consent by an independent physician not involved in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

-patients with symptoms not attributable to stroke in the emergency onsite ( observation of epileptic seizure, recent cerebral trauma, prior syncope or comatose state)