In our world of technological advancements, this is referred to as telemedicine.
The program was instituted to improve early diagnosis and treatment of possible stroke victims. The TeleStroke program is modeled after the first program initiated through Massachussetts General Hospital in Boston. Swedish Medical Center wants the general public to be aware of this groundbreaking program.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It is also a leading cause of long-term disability requiring costly follow-up care. On average a stroke occurs every 45 seconds, and every three minutes a stroke victim dies.
Washington state has the sixth-highest incidence of stroke deaths in the country.
With the advancements in technology and diagnostic tools, Swedish's Stroke Program, through a secure video-conferencing network, can provide expert assessment of a possible stroke victim who has been rushed to the emergency room. Telemedicine provides immediate neurological evaluation of signs and symptoms, the possibility of pinpointing the location of a clot, the capability of reviewing brain imagery, and being able to quickly advise appropriate treatment to the on-site emergency room staff.
In treating potential stroke victims, the key is time: time loss is brain loss. It is essential that a potential stroke victim quickly receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment. One such treatment is a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug, tPA, or tissue plasminogen activator, which is a clot-dissolving drug - but it must be given to a patient within three hours of onset to prevent the ongoing death of brain cells from interruption of blood supply to the brain caused by the clot.
First Hill, Cherry Hill, Ballard and Issaquah, all four Swedish campuses, are certified as Primary Stroke Centers by JCAHO, Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Swedish received help from Massachusetts General Hospital in starting up TeleStroke. MGH clinicians provided the software and Telestroke implementation support. Swedish clinicians included seven neurologists, three nurse practitioners, one physician assistant and three registered nurses who were trained primarily via videoconferencing with MGH for Swedish's phase one of the TeleStroke program.
Tammy Cress, RN, Swedish Stroke Program manager, stated that Massachusetts General was chosen as a partner because of its 10-year leadership through the Partners TeleStroke Program and the MGH Acute Stroke Program, both headed by Lee Schwamm, M.D. Here in Seattle, William Likosky, M.D., is director of the Swedish Stroke Program.
Swedish is proud of the fact that the technology costs for phase one of its TeleStroke Program cost less than $100,000, and was funded entirely by the Swedish Foundation, which is now in the process of raising funds for subsequent phases of the program.
Most emergency rooms do not possess the capabilities - staff, technology and the access to stroke specialists - recommended by the American Heart Association, for the quick assessment, diagnosis and treatment of stroke victims. Telemedicine provides an effective way for community emergency rooms to perform at the same level as a major medical center in treating victims of stroke.
Through community awareness, education and support, other medical centers in the Puget Sound area should be able to participate in the Partners TeleStroke network and in multi-site clinical research projects for early and accurate diagnosis, and newer, quicker therapeutic treatment for potential stroke victims.
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