Help for stroke patients

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Weston County Health Services has partnered with the Wyoming Medical Center to utilize it’s TeleStroke Wyoming program, allowing ER physicians to use neurologists to collaboratively devise the best treatment plan for stroke patients in real time, according to a press release dated Feb. 19. 
“Live-saving stroke care is measured in minutes. Time is brain, and the faster the blocked vessel is cleared, the better the chance for a patient’s survival and recovery,” the release states. “While studies show that treatment times decrease and treatment choices improve when a neurologist is involved early in the care of a stroke patient, few Wyoming hospitals have 24-hour neurology coverage.” 
The TeleStroke program allows for neurologists from the Wyoming Medical Center to actively participate in patient care and decision-making the moment a patient arrives at Weston County Health Services. 
“Having neurologists involved early increases the likelihood that patients will get the appropriate diagnosis and treatment quickly, and that’s the metric of excellence in stroke care,” said neurologist David Wheeler, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.N., medical director of WMC’s Primary Stroke Center, in the press release. 
Partners of the program are equipped with InTouch Health’s Vici robot at no cost to the facility. 
The Vici is a “scalable, mobile cart system that can be rolled into any patient room,” allowing neurologists in Casper to examine and speak with patients in Newcastle through high-definition cameras and display monitors. Doctors have the ability to zoom in or out and swing their view from side to side for a complete scope of the patient. The system also provides an avenue to share patient history, vital signs, and other data in real time. 
“We are very excited to partner with Wyoming Medical Center for access to the TeleStroke system,” said Maureen Cadwell, CEO of WCHS. “The access this system provides is on-the-spot, life-saving expertise for stroke patients that may save them being transferred to higher level facilities, from debilitating results or death.” 
For years, Wyoming Medical Center has been engaged with community hospitals like WCHS with the hopes of developing a statewide system of care for stroke patients. The release states that TeleStroke Wyoming is the next step in that process. 
TeleStroke is the first program of TeleMed Wyoming, the center’s state-of-the-art teleheatlh system connecting Wyoming hospitals, physicians and patients with the widest network of medical specialties in the state, from the convenience of their local hospital.