Clarion Hospital Collaborates With Allegheny Health Network to Bring Advanced
Telestroke Services To Clarion
Utilizing the latest telemedicine technology, BHS Clarion Hospital can
now offer the services of real time, audiovisual consultation with a stroke
neurologist from the Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Neuroscience Institute
in treating patients with stroke symptoms.
Through a USDA federally funded matching grant, BHS Clarion Hospital was
able to acquire the telemedicine video conferencing carts at the hospital.
This equipment allows for our physicians to connect directly with AHN
neurologists to assist in evaluating the patient right here in our hospital
and together determine the best course of treatment.
The telemedicine equipment is moved to the foot of the patient bed. Once
it is established that a video consultation is in order, the neurologist
logs into the telestroke system and can interact with the patient, their
family and the BHS Clarion Hospital Physician. The neurologist discusses
the assessment findings and the treatment options with the family during
the video consultation. Once options are discussed the plan of treatment
is put into place, which may include Alteplase, a clot busting drug that
can be administered right here at BHS Clarion Hospital. There are two
Telemedicine Carts available to our physicians to use, one is located
in our Emergency Department and the second is located in our ICU to provide
Telestroke Services to patients that are already hospitalized.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the
brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that caries oxygen and nutrients
to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures. When that happens,
part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs and brain cells die.
Strokes can be ischemic (a blockage of the artery) or hemorrhagic (when
the artery bursts or a bleed). Sometimes a TIA (transient ischemic attack)
occurs, this is also known as a mini-stroke that produces stroke-like
symptoms. If you are having any symptoms of a stroke call 9-1-1 immediately,
the sooner a stroke victim gets to the hospital, the sooner they will
get the lifesaving treatment that they need. Stroke survivors have the
best outcomes when they receive treatment in 4.5 hours or less.
How To Spot A Stroke
The acronym FAST is used in spotting stroke symptoms.
F – Face Drooping
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
A – Arm Weakness
Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm
drift downward?
S– Speech Difficulty
Is Speech slurred, are they unable to speak or are they hard to understand?
Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “the sky is blue.”
Is the sentence repeated correctly?
T- Time To Call 911
If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away,
call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately. Be sure to mark the
time of the call so you will know when the first symptoms appeared. This
is important information you will need to know when you get to the hospital.
