The authors evaluated a site-independent telemedicine system. Telemedicine may be limited by the need for fixed connectivity. Wireless and site-independent technologies eliminate this limitation. Twenty-five stroke patients underwent evaluations by remote and bedside examiners. Ten of 15 (67%) NIH Stroke Scale and 9 of 11 (82%) Modified NIH Stroke Scale items showed excellent interrater reliability. Spearman correlations were > or =0.93. This Internet system is reliable and valid. Further studies should assess its use in acute stroke.
Department of Neurosciences, UCSD School of Medicine, Stroke Center (8466), 3rd Floor, OPC, Suite 3, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92103-8466, USA. bcmeyer@ucsd.edu
