Treating a victim of a stroke as quickly as possible can mean the difference between life and death. That's why Progress West Hospital, along with Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital is an important part of the Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine stroke care network.
Our partnership in this important network ensures that all patients have the best stroke care available. Our alliance helps us assess a patient’s condition more quickly, make a diagnosis if the patient is having a stroke, and providing treatment as quickly as possible. The partnership allows us to provide an extremely high level of stroke care for the residents of St. Charles County.
Telestroke Network Provides Bedside Care
When a stroke patient comes to Progress West Hospital’s emergency room, the patient can be examined by stroke neurologists and cerebrovascular specialists at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, thanks to the TeleStroke robot.
The TeleStroke robot has enhanced audio and video capabilities that allow remotely located specialists to analyze subtle physical cues and test cognitive brain and behavioral functions of the patient.
The robot also transmits the patient’s medical data to the off-site physician. This “long-distance bedside” interaction enables the emergency physician and neurologist to remotely review patient information, examine and talk with the patient, and speak with local clinicians to determine if a stroke is in progress.
A quicker stroke diagnosis can lead to earlier administration of the all-important, clot-breaking
tPA drug. This could greatly reduce the number of crippling strokes.
American Stroke Association lists several warning signs of a stroke. Signs can include the sudden onset of:
- Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Confusion
- Difficulty speaking or understanding
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Problems with walking
- Dizziness, loss of balance and coordination
- Severe headache with no known cause
Call 911 immediately if you think you or a loved one could be having a stroke.