When it comes to stroke care, minutes can mean the difference between recovery and permanent disability. With that urgency in mind, UCHealth Estes Valley Medical Center has launched a new telestroke service aimed at speeding up diagnosis and treatment for patients in the Estes Valley community, according to a news release from the hospital.
The program connects emergency department staff at the medical center with a neurologist via video 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The virtual specialist can assess patients in real time, helping local providers quickly determine whether a stroke is occurring and what treatment is needed, the release says.
“The telestroke service enhances collaboration between our local care team and an acute-care neurologist, allowing faster, more thorough care for patients,” said April Kendall, associate nurse manager in EVMC’s emergency department.
The neurologist does charge a professional fee for the service, the Medical Center said, but it is covered by most insurances…