Building and growing telestroke networks
Telestroke Networks
In telestroke, hospitals typically collaborate in a "hub and spoke model". In this model, the "hub" refers to the main referral center, often a Primary Stroke Center (PSC). The "spoke" refers to the rural center that requiresthe services of the neuro specialist. A hub may have one spoke hospital, or it may choose to spoke with several hospitals. This collaboration between hospitals is often referred to as a telestroke network.
While telestroke networks have well-documented patient benefits, a successful network is characterized by a strong relationship between the administrative and clinical staff at each of the collaborating hospitals. Most importantly all this needs to be done in a very short window of time.
Our services include:
- Facilitating the development of financial models to help establish the business case for participating hospitals.
- Facilitating strong telemedicine leadership teams at each site to promote efficient implementation and ongoing oversight for the telestroke network.
- Assisting with the development of policies and protocols to deliver acute stroke care via telemedicine.
- Supporting the development of ongoing QA programs, utilizing reports obtained from the REACH Call system.
- Establishing an education program to improve the acute stroke knowledge at the spoke while enhancing the continuity of care across the continuum.
- Assisting administrative staff with developing processes that address issues such as credentialing, billing, and reimbursement.
- Supporting the development of processes to track both financial and patient outcomes.
- Facilitating ongoing communication & collaboration amongst the hospitals to sustain an active telestroke network.