Press Release -- WEST MONROE, La. Stroke patients at Glenwood Regional Medical Center now have immediate access to highly specialized vascular neurologists as the result of a partnership between Glenwood and Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans (Ochsner).
Through this network, emergency department physicians have the ability to consult immediately with Ochsner vascular neurologists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year using telemedicine equipment to determine the best treatment options for stroke patients. Telemedicine programs improve the quality of care for patients outside of urban areas by allowing them access to specialists and by reducing the costs associated with travel and the time spent away from work and family.
If you dont live near a major hospital, you shouldnt have fewer options, says Liz Cothren, Director of Telemedicine at Ochsner. With the push of a button, within seconds of getting on an Internet browser, youre able to interact with a provider, added Cothren. Ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage in a blood vessel that stops the flow of blood to the brain and deprives the surrounding brain tissue of oxygen.
In the absence of oxygen, the brain cells in the immediate area begin to die, causing permanent brain damage, disability or death. Two million brain cells die every minute during a stroke, so immediate medical attention can save a life and limit disabilities.
When a patient comes into the emergency department at Glenwood with the symptoms of an acute ischemic stroke, a computer with an advanced webcam will be brought to the bedside where the clinical team will connect with a vascular neurologist on call at Ochsner. The neurologist, patient and clinical team at Glenwood can see and speak to each other throughout the consult.
The physician will examine the patient and review the CAT scan of the patients head, providing guidance on advanced treatments within minutes. In many cases, Telestroke consultation will allow patients to stay at Glenwood. In more complicated cases the patient may need to be transferred to Ochsner or another facility for specialized treatment.
Telestroke is still beneficial in these cases because the neurologist will have already met and started treatment the patient. Rapid evaluation and treatment of patients is the best way to minimize long term effects of stroke, says Matt Roberts, Chief Executive Officer at Glenwood Regional Medical Center.
In stroke care, time is critical! If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T.:
Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arm: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
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Glenwood Regional Medical Center Implements Stroke Telemedicine Program