The American Heart Association has developed a new stroke telehealth certification.
The certification will help standardize training and increase skills and competencies for providers who administer stroke care through telehealth, according to a June 4 association news release.
"Significant barriers prevent or slow treatment for many patients with stroke, including long travel times to stroke center hospitals and the lack of availability of stroke specialists who can evaluate the patient and determine if they are a candidate for treatment," the release said. "Telehealth stroke care, also known as telestroke, can expand access to rural areas and other communities that face barriers to stroke care."