Baptist Hospital Introduces Teleneurology as part of Comprehensive Stroke Program

More people who suffer from strokes will have better outcomes thanks to a new service Baptist Hospital is providing its patients. It's called teleneurology, and it allows emergency room physicians to have round-the-clock access to world-class, board-certified neurologists via real-time, two-way audio and video communication to more quickly provide life-saving treatments to patients having a stroke.

"When stroke occurs, speedy access to diagnosis and treatment can increase the likelihood of functional independence, " states Beau Pollard, director, orthopaedics and neurosciences, Baptist Health Care. "To help the patient survive with the highest quality of life, Baptist is partnering with Specialists On Call, Inc., the first and only Joint commission Accredited freestanding Telemedicine Company, to provide our residents with immediate access to critical stroke care,"

Through this program, Baptist emergency room physicians consult with expert neurologists via real-time communications to review patients' CT scans and recommend appropriate treatments. Previously, the only approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke, which accounts for 88 percent of all strokes, is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and it must be administered to appropriate patients within a three-hour window of symptom onset.

"Using teleneurology, a neurologist can evaluate him or her immediately, review the CT scan, and make a timely treatment recommendation," says Dr. Colin T. McDonald, Specialists On Call founder and CMO. Local neurologist then provide the continuum of care for the patient. Through the use of this innovative technology, Baptist Hospital is transforming the way stroke care is delivered."

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. with over 700,000 Americans experiencing a stroke each year. Stroke is also the third leading cause of disability in the U.S. with more than 1.1 million people impaired nationwide. Warning signs include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

"The impact of a stroke can range from weakness of an arm or a leg to paralysis, loss of speech or death. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not drive your self to the hospital, but rather, call 911 right away," said Tammie Stefanko, R.N., coordinator, stroke program, Baptist Hospital.

For more information, call Baptist Health Care at (850) 434-4080