ASL Salerno's Telestroke Network Cuts Stroke Treatment Delays

The ASL Salerno health authority has deployed a Telestroke network that links emergency departments in the Salerno province with neurologists in specialist Stroke Units through a 24‑hour tele‑medicine hub‑and‑spoke model. Using the Teledoc robotic tele‑presence system, physicians at Spoke hospitals such as the Sapri Emergency Department can initiate real‑time consultations with Hub neurologists, share clinical assessments and imaging, and decide on immediate treatment or transfer.

Data presented by ASL Salerno show that 88 % of suspected‑stroke patients were managed at the Spoke sites, 5 % required transfer to the Hub, and in 7 % of cases the tele‑consultation avoided an unnecessary transfer. The programme’s impact is highlighted in a recent podcast episode that follows a patient, Antonio, through the system, featuring Dr. Francesco Barone, Dr. Teresa Cuomo and A.L.I.Ce. Italia ODV President Andrea Vianello.