Association of Hospital Telestroke Adoption With Changes in Initial Hospital Presentation and Transfers Among Patients With Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attacks

Key Points Question Was the implementation of telestroke services at hospitals associated with changes in the organization of stroke systems of care? Findings In this cross-sectional study using a national sample of 593 telestroke hospitals and 593 matched control hospitals, no significant association was found between telestroke implementation and a hospital’s stroke volume, rate of transfers, or the hospitals to which patients are transferred. Meaning This study suggests that a hospital’s implementation of telestroke was not associated with changes in where patients present, in their decision to transfer, or which hospital they are transferred to.