In celebration of Stroke Awareness Month, we asked Dr. Frank Silver, Medical Director of the Ontario Telestroke Program, to share some highlights about this unique program.
‘Telestroke Neurologists are available 24/7 via CritiCall Ontario to provide immediate support to Ontario Emergency Physicians in designated Telestroke hospitals who are managing patients with acute ischemic stroke. We are a team of Stroke Neurologists who can review your patient’s imaging and be at their bedside virtually (using videoconferencing) to help with decisions about hyperacute stroke care including IV thrombolysis and endovascular treatment (mechanical thrombectomy)’
~ Dr. Frank L. Silver, Medical Director of the Ontario Telestroke Program
The Numbers
- We support 36 Telestroke referring hospitals
- 32,000 acute stroke consultations since the Ontario Telestroke Program was established in 2002
- Currently, 23 Stroke Neurologists providing on call coverage 24/7 through CritiCall Ontario
- Averaged 11 “code stroke” calls per day in 2024
- Average response time to consult of 3 minutes
If your patient is at one of our 36 Telestroke referring hospitals, who should be referred?
- Patients with persisting neurological deficits that are potentially disabling
- Patients presenting within 24 hours of when they were last known to be well
Who NOT to Refer?
- Patients with isolated facial weakness, isolated slurred speech, isolated sensory symptoms, or isolated dizziness
- Patients who are palliative with end-of-life care
- Patients with severe dementia