Stroke, a medical emergency demanding swift intervention, becomes a focal point in this exploration as telestroke services enable remote neurology consultations, bridging geographical gaps and fostering timely, expert care (Varughese et al., 2021). As nurses assume expanded roles in advocating for research and scholarship to advance practice, the assessment explores the scholarly evidence surrounding telestroke technology, highlighting its impact on patient safety, quality of care, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

I chose telestroke technology as the selected topic for this paper due to its crucial role in managing medical emergencies like strokes through remote neurology consultations. Its captivating feature lies in its potential to overcome geographical barriers, delivering prompt and expert care to enhance patient outcomes. I applied a systematic research approach to thoroughly examine the impact of telestroke technology. 

This process included accessing esteemed databases like Google Scholar, International Journal of Medical Informatics, and ScienceDirect to compile scholarly articles and reviews comprehensively. I employed search terms such as “telestroke technology,” “telerehabilation” and “patient safety technology” to pinpoint relevant literature. The goal was to merge a variety of perspectives and findings, facilitating a comprehensive evaluation of the technology’s impact on healthcare consultants and interdisciplinary teams.

Annotated Bibliography

Sharma, R., Zachrison, K. S., Viswanathan, A., Matiello, M., Estrada, J., Anderson, C. D., Etherton, M., Silverman, S., Rost, N. S., Feske, S. K., & Schwamm, L. H. (2020). Trends in telestroke care delivery. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 13(3).

https://doi.org/10.1161/circoutcomes.119.005903 

This article aims to characterize the utilization patterns of telestroke technology within an academic telestroke network. By examining consultations, spoke behavior, and the correlation between the frequency of telestroke use and alteplase treatment metrics, the study delves into the dynamics of this technology in hospitals lacking stroke coverage. Through the analysis of prospectively collected data, the research reveals a consistent network growth, a rise in both telestroke consults and alteplase-treated patients, and positive correlations between telestroke utilization and the prompt administration of alteplase. The results imply that the expansion of telestroke services is associated with an improved delivery of emergency care, as evidenced by enhancements in door-to-needle times and increased treatment rates for eligible patients.

The current evidence on the impact of Telestroke technology underscores its significant contributions to patient safety, quality of care, and the interdisciplinary team in stroke management. This paper specifically highlights the empirical evidence supporting the impact of telestroke technology on patient care and safety. It emphasizes that telestroke services play a crucial role in expediting expert neurology consultations, resulting in timely interventions and ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes. Additionally, it underscores that telestroke technology is significant in enhancing the overall quality of stroke management.  Telestroke technology enhances stroke care by enabling remote assessment, reducing delays, and fostering seamless interdisciplinary collaboration. The positive impact includes decreased mortality rates, lower disability, and heightened patient satisfaction. Aligned with patient-centered care and organizational factors, its implementation justifiably influences team dynamics, increasing productivity, satisfaction, and retention. Moreover, telestroke emerges as a critical component for advancing patient safety, improving care quality, and promoting collaborative practices within interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Furthermore, this research paper highlights that telestroke interventions contribute to reduced mortality rates, decreased disability, and improved patient satisfaction. 

Shem, K., Irgens, I., & Alexander, M. (2022, January 1). Chapter 2 – Getting Started: Mechanisms of Telerehabilitation (M. Alexander, Ed.). ScienceDirect; Elsevier.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323824866000022 

This article explains the concept of Telerehabilitation (TR), encompassing diverse technologies including telestroke technology to deliver rehabilitation services. The primary aim is to enhance accessibility, coordination, and secure knowledge transfer among professionals, care providers, and consumers. TR, adaptable to various practice settings and business models, utilizes telecommunication tech