Impact of simulation training on a telestroke network

BackgroundStroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Brazil, where there are significant imbalances in access to specialized stroke care. Telemedicine networks allow patients to receive neurological evaluation and intravenous thrombolysis in underserved areas, where performance measures are challenging.AimsTo describe the impact caused by adequate stroke care training, using realistic simulation, in a developing country telestroke network.MethodsRetrospective observational study comparing the number of all stroke diagnoses, thrombolysis rate, door-to-needle time and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after intravenous thrombolysis, during one year providing just algorithms and orientation in stroke care to spoke facilities (phase 1), with the results achieved along one year after the beginning of ongoing live training sessions (phase 2).ResultsThe mean number of patients diagnosed with stroke increased from 7.5 to 16.58 per month (P = 0.019) rising from 90 patients during phase 1 to 199 in p...