The cost-effectiveness of teleneurology consultations for patients admitted to hospitals without neurologists on site. 1: A retrospective comparison of the case-mix and management at two rural hospitals

We are currently evaluating the use of telemedicine for improving the care of patients admitted with neurological symptoms to hospitals that do not have specialist neurologists on site. To do this we have been comparing the outcome of patients admitted to two small hospitals. In one hospital all patients with neurological symptoms are seen by a neurologist at a distance using an interactive video-link transmitting at 384 kbit/s; in the other...