Benkelman, Neb. — HCA HealthONE Virtual Network, which includes HCA HealthONE in Denver, Colorado and Wesley Healthcare in Wichita, Kansas is now providing telemedicine stroke-neurology and acute-neurology services to Dundy County Hospital. The HCA HealthONE Telemedicine program is an innovative system that uses technology to bring the best of stroke care to the southwestern corner of Nebraska, northeastern Colorado and portions of Kansas.
“Every second counts in minimizing the damage a stroke can cause to the brain — quick assessment and personalized care are key,” says Dr. Chris Fanale, who developed the HCA HealthONE Tele-Stroke Program. “Having this state-of-the-art telemedicine program puts the stroke specialist instantly in the room with a patient and ER physician. As a stroke neurologist, I can have a conversation with the patient and family, examine the patient’s ability to move and speak, and even zoom in to assess pupil reactivity. We can talk to EMS and ER staff and assess monitors and vital signs immediately. There is no other system in the region that is currently offering this level of care to stroke victims.”
HCA HealthONE allows for a neurologist to be linked via telemedicine cart to emergency physicians and providers at Dundy County Hospital. By utilizing the HCA HealthONE technology, Dundy County Hospital will be instantly connected to a stroke-trained neurologist. The system allows patients suffering from neurological events or stroke-like conditions, to be examined and diagnosed, while the patient is still in Benkelman.
Telemedicine technology utilizes a mobile cart with an onboard computer, monitor, high-resolution camera and microphone to simultaneously transmit the audio and video portions of a physician consult. Patient medical records, including radiology scans, can be accessed. The patient, local physician/provider and the neurologist can conduct online consultations anywhere there is an internet connection.
"Dundy County Hospital is committed to ensuring our patients receive the highest level of care the moment they walk through our doors,” said Jeremiah Hanes, CEO of Dundy County Hospital. “By partnering with the HCA HealthONE Telemedicine Network, we can bring stroke trained neurologists directly into our Emergency Department within minutes. This technology strengthens our ability to respond rapidly during critical moments and helps us deliver the best outcomes for our patients."
A stroke occurs when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain or when an artery in the brain ruptures, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding. Brain cells critically depend on the consistent flow of oxygen and glucose rich blood. When this flow is interrupted by a stroke, brain cells begin to die. Because our body cannot replicate nerve cells, strokes can lead to permanent brain damage and disability. The negative effects of stroke depend upon which part of the brain the stroke occurs in. Therefore, strokes produce a wide array of symptoms, including paralysis, inability to speak, memory loss, and loss of cognitive ability.
A need for mental health assistance may present in a variety of ways, through emergency medicine or inpatient care. Rapid evaluations can be requested to provide psychiatric medication recommendations, short term and long-term treatment recommendations, and full psychiatric evaluations with diagnosis.
Telemedicine is used across the country for consultations in a variety of medical specialties, including stroke, mental health, trauma care, burns, pediatric care, pharmacy, chronic care management, and many other areas. Telemedicine’s potential is vast and has become an accepted practice in a growing number of remote communities. Telemedicine is a significant and rapidly growing component of the healthcare continuum in the United States.