[TAO] Fwd: Regional Telestroke Initiative: Invitation & Survey Opportunity

[Catherine Britain]

The following is for your consideration...


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Thielst, Christina B -- NRTRC <ThielsC at nrtrc.org>
Date: Mon, May 17, 2010 at 10:24 AM
Subject: Regional Telestroke Initiative: Invitation & Survey Opportunity
To:


 Dear Telestroke Colleague:



Are you involved with or interested in being involved in telestroke?  If so,
please take 5 minutes to answer this short survey for the *Regional
Telestroke Initiative <https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/opinio/s?s=5055>  *by
June 1st.

Background and more information can be found below:



*Background & Need*

The Washington State Department of Health Heart Disease and Stroke
Prevention Program
<http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/heart_stroke/default.htm>, Northwest
Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC <http://www.nrtrc.org/>), and
members of the Northwest Regional Stroke Network (NWRSN) have collaborated
to address stroke care in the Northwest region.  In recent years, members
have voiced a need to address the significant rural-urban disparities seen
in stroke treatment and care, suggesting a regional telestroke network as a
potential solution. With a reach of over 200 members and organizations, a
combined effort called the “*Regional Telestroke Initiative”* is being
developed to respond to stakeholder requests for assistance in the
development and support of such a regional network.   Specifically, the
Northwest region of the United States has a higher rate of death due to
stroke compared to the national average. With some of the nation’s most
rugged geography, harshest climates, large proportions of rural communities,
and an increasing shortage of stroke specialists, the region is poised to
take advantage of the growing broadband capabilities and expanding
telehealth networks.



This concept is supported by recent literature, such as the policy
summary<http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/40/7/2635>from the
American Heart Association, stating that with the growth of
telestroke programs both nationally and abroad, there is a need to extend
telestroke use beyond the urban “hubs” to the rural/community hospitals that
lack readily available stroke care.  In the January 2009 Joint Commission
statement<http://www.jointcommission.org/NR/rdonlyres/DFBF9FFD-AF97-4CA1-A9C8-8102C2D77AE0/0/JCP1009.pdf>,
“informed consultations” include bedside consultation OR telemedicine
consultation from a privileged physician.    Clearly, telestroke is emerging
as a standard of care in the treatment of stroke related illness and we are
contacting telestroke leaders, like you, to actively join us.



*Mission*

To reduce the rural-urban disparity by aligning regional resources and
stakeholders and delivering stroke expertise to rural facilities across the
Northwest region.



*Barriers*

Despite growing development of telestroke initiatives in the region and
growing third party consulting models, a number of issues persistent in the
telehealth industry continue to hamper integration into the healthcare
delivery system. The current telestroke barriers seen across the country
include:

ü  Interstate Licensure

ü  Credentialing & Privileging

ü  Liability & Malpractice

ü  Availability of On-Call Stroke Specialists

ü  Reimbursement for Drip & Ship Patients

ü  Technology Compatibility



*Progress & Goals*

For the past few years, the NWRSN and NRTRC have been partnering to address
interstate telephone stroke consultations, clarification of liability issues
around a regionally structured call network, and increasing clinical
capacity.  Future areas that will now also be addressed by the *Regional
Telestroke Initiative* include providing educational opportunities,
exploring grant opportunities, quality improvement initiatives, exploring
audio/visual consultation, reimbursement, credentialing and privileging.

* *

*Objectives & Format*

Educational opportunities will be provided to build on progress made and
address stakeholder needs.  These educational opportunities would discuss
the delivery of acute stroke treatment, successful telestroke solutions, and
culminate in a discussion of potential strategies for a regional
initiative.  A potential subsequent face-to-face meeting in a central
location (Seattle, Portland, or Spokane) would bring stakeholders together
to further develop this initiative.  Topics would include:

ü  Shared On-Call Structure

ü  Interstate Licensure Compact

ü  Centralized Credentialing & Privileging

ü  Regional Malpractice Coverage

ü  Compatible Technology Solution(s)



*Involvement*

We would like to have your expertise as we pursue this goal.   Potential
stakeholders might include:

ü    Physicians, NPs and PAs caring for stroke patients

ü    Telehealth & Telestroke Networks

ü    State Departments of Health

ü    AHA/ASA

ü    National Stroke Association

ü    State Board of Medical Examiners

ü    Hospital/health systems interested or engaged in telestroke



*Regional Impact *

Recognizing the ultimate goal of improved outcomes, reduced morbidity and
mortality, increased consideration for administration of tPA, and greater
access for patients in rural communities, the creation of a *Regional
Telestroke Initiative* has high potential to address persistent barriers to
telehealth development. The region served by this *Regional Telestroke
Initiative* also has considerable telehealth expertise and infrastructure
which can be leveraged to accelerate such an initiative.



Please indicate your interest in participating in this *Regional Telestroke
Initiative* by contacting Chara Chamie at Chara.chamie at doh.wa.gov *(by June
1, 2010)*



We thank you in advance for considering this new partnership opportunity and
look forward to your participation in this regional effort.



Sincerely,



*Nicholas J Okon, DO*

Stroke Neurologist & Hospitalist, Providence Stroke Center, Portland, OR

*Christina Thielst, FACHE,*

Executive Director, Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center, Spokane,
WA**

*Mike McNamara, MS*

Telestroke Specialist and Consultant, Montana Department of Public Health &
Human Services, Billings, MT

*David Tirschwell, MD, MSc*

Stroke Neurologist,

University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA**

*Denny Lordan,*

Telestroke Specialist and Consultant, Washington State, Spokane, WA

* *

*Bill Likosky, MD*

Stroke Neurologist,

Swedish Medical Center, Seattle WA**

*Chara Chamie, MPH*

Regional Telestroke Initiative Planning Coordinator, Washington State
Department of Health, Olympia, WA





-- 
Catherine S. Britain
csbritain at gmail.com
541-910-7366
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