Coshocton, Ohio (May 17, 2011) – When a stroke occurs, time matters. Identifying the signs of a stroke and getting the appropriated treatment started quickly can make the difference between full recovery and a lifetime of disability. Thanks to a collaboration between Coshocton County Memorial Hospital and The Ohio State University Medical Center, those living in and around Coshocton County no longer face the worry of living hours from a metropolitan health care facility when stroke symptoms occur. The presence of new state-of-the-art technology will bring specialized neurological services, known as Telestroke, to the patient’s bedside inside the Coshocton Hospital Emergency Department.
The collaboration came about as the result of a grant The OSU Medical Center received from the Ohio Department of Health to establish a stroke telemedicine network in rural areas of southeast Ohio. Coshocton Hospital is the first of three hospitals to implement the Telestroke system as a result of the grant; Barnesville Hospital and Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center will follow in upcoming weeks.
The system incorporates the use of video equipment and web-based software to establish a rapid online visual connection between the ER physician and the OSU Medical Center’s board certified vascular neurologists. The technology is used bedside so the neurologist can speak directly with the patient, complete a visual assessment, and review CT scan and laboratory results. Networking with OSU provides Coshocton Hospital with real-time access to the same expertise and protocols available at a tertiary care center.
“Telestroke allows us to bring the specialized stroke expertise to the bedside at the local community hospital in a fast and efficient way,” said Dr. Michel Torbey, Medical Director of OSU Medical Center’s Neurovascular Stroke Center.
The drug t-PA is commonly administered for acute ischemic stroke in adults to improve neurological recovery and reduce the incidence of disability. Since the drug is most effective if administered within the first three hours of the onset of a stroke, it is critical to call 911 for emergency assistance at the first sign of a stroke. Stroke symptoms may include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of 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
Since permanent neurological damage is more likely to occur the longer a stroke goes untreated, this collaboration enables Coshocton Hospital to use the most advanced tools and treatments without wasting valuable time in transport to a neurological center. “Clot-dissolving drugs should only be administered once all parameters are met,” commented Jason Bryant, Coshocton Hospital Chief Nursing Officer. “The Telestroke system allows us meet all the criteria for administering the drug and begin delivering it within that critical “Golden Hour” for the best outcomes for our patients.”
The final tests of the Telestroke system will occur on Tuesday, May 17, and the system will go live between Coshocton Hospital and the OSU Medical Center on May 18, adding another important component to emergency services delivery in Coshocton County.
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