Stroke networks based on robotic telepresence

Abstract

In the USA, several telestroke networks have been successfully implemented in which a stroke centre of excellence provides expertise to community and rural hospitals via telemedicine. Stroke patients can thus receive round-the-clock access to stroke expertise. The Remote Presence (RP) system is used in several of these telestroke networks. The stroke expert uses a laptop and wireless Internet to connect to the RP robot in the peripheral emergency department. This improves the geographical reach of stroke specialist care, and improves patient outcomes as well as conforming with best practice. The stroke network concept combined with telemedicine is a powerful way of transforming stroke care.

“Orthobot, to your station!” The application of the remote presence robotic system in orthopaedic surgery in Ireland: a pilot study on patient and nursing staff satisfaction

“…On the contrary, literature suggests otherwise with early studies of the use of remote critical care physicians for ICUs managed by internists demonstrating a considerable improvement in measurable patient data [8][9][10]. And, as already mentioned in the Introduction, the application of the RPRS has also been used in medical training and education [1,2], for management of stroke patients [3,4], urologic surgeries [5], and paediatric laparoscopic surgeries [6], and for clinical outreach [5,7], to name just a few. The provision of specialist care to patients in remote areas who would otherwise have these services unavailable to them only dispels the myth that it increases barriers to appropriate medical care [11].…”

“…As defined by the INTOUCH HEALTH RP-7 Reference Manual, ''The Remote Presence Robotic System (RPRS) is a mobile, robotic telecommunications platform that enables an individual to ''be in two places at once''.'' The RPRS has been applied in medical training and education [1,2], for management of stroke patients [3,4], urologic surgeries [5], and paediatric laparoscopic surgeries [6], and for clinical outreach [5,7], to name just a few. However, its usefulness in the field of orthopaedic surgery has not been described.…”

Effect of Telestroke on Emergent Stroke Care and Stroke Outcomes

“…15 At a hospital level, the consultation is undertaken via a mobile computer cart or by remotely driven robot. 14,16,17 At a software level, the delivery of acute stroke care by telemedicine has also now evolved to become a more user-friendly experience. Advanced stroke telemedicine applications are unified in that they can deliver audiovisual, Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) imaging, and clinical notes within a single software program.…”

“…Advanced stroke telemedicine applications are unified in that they can deliver audiovisual, Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) imaging, and clinical notes within a single software program. 16,18,19 …”

Future Neurohospitalist

“…[54][55][56][57] Over the past decade, the technological limitations have become increasingly less relevant in telestroke evaluations performed with a simple videoconferencing camera, a mobile iPhone Facetime evaluation, or when using a complex third-party robotic device that integrates videoconferencing with advanced optics and neuroimaging integration (albeit at higher costs). [57][58][59][60][61][62] Figure 2 demonstrates some of the technical aspects of telestroke and teleneurology, in general such as the Robot and remote viewing of stroke imaging on a mobile device. Figure 3 demonstrates a telestroke robot encounter on a patient with a right middle cerebral artery territory infarction and drift of the left arm compared to the right which was dramatically improved compared to preintervention.…”