Abstract T MP49: Pre-Hospital Utility of Rapid Stroke Evaluation Using In-Ambulance Telemedicine (PURSUIT): A Pilot Feasibility Study

Objective: Pre-hospital evaluation using audio/video telemedicine (TM) might accelerate acute stroke treatment with t-PA. We explored the reliability and feasibility of using TM via a mobile device in ambulances to help identify and evaluate acute stroke patients. Methods: Ten unique, scripted stroke scenarios with various levels of stroke severity were portrayed by trained actors retrieved and transported by EMS to our stroke center. Each scenario was conducted 4 times, for a total of 40 scenarios. Each scenario began when EMS arrived on scene and a vascular neurologist (VN) simultaneously logged on to the TM device remotely, and ended once the ambulance arrived at the emergency department. The VNs performed assessments in real-time, obtaining clinical data points and NIHSS using the In-Touch RP-Xpress TM device with Verizon 4G wireless connectivity. Each scenario was recorded for a subsequent evaluation by a second blinded VN. Study feasibility was defined by the ability to conduct 80% of the sessions w...