Telestroke Centers as an Option for Addressing Geographical Disparities in Access to Stroke Care in South Carolina, 2013

PEER REVIEWED

Map of South Carolina showing 1) the 24 counties with the highest stroke mortality rates and 2) the areas within a 30-minute drive time from a primary stroke center (PSC). More than half of the population of these counties does not have access to a PSC within a 30-minute drive time, which demonstrates the need for additional stroke care facilities in the state.

Figure 1. South Carolina primary stroke centers (PSCs) and the population within a 30-minute drive time (54% of the South Carolina population lives within a 30-minute drive of a PSC).

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Map of South Carolina showing increased access to stroke care when telestroke centers are within a 60-minute drive time. Prior to availability of telestroke centers, 54% to 77% of the population had access to a primary stroke center within a 30-minute or 60-minute drive, respectively, of their residence. However, the increase in telestroke centers in 2008 increased access to stroke care for 76% within a 30-minute drive and 95% within a 60-minute drive.

Figure 2. South Carolina primary stroke centers and telestroke centers and the population within a 30-minute or 60-minute drive time (95% of the South Carolina population live within a 60-minute drive of a primary stroke center or a telestroke center, and 76% live within a 30-minute drive).

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