You’re backpacking in the Sangre de Cristos, and suddenly it feels like your head is splitting open and you can’t feel your legs. You’re having a stroke in the middle of nowhere. If your friends can get you to a hospital right away, you may live to see tomorrow.
But if you’re somewhere in the wilderness, the only hospitals nearby may be small ones, with no cardiac specialists on staff.
Thanks to collaboration between New Mexico Software, Inc. and NetMedical, you’re in luck if you’re in New Mexico. A new neurological telemedicine program at Alta Vista Regional Hospital in Las Vegas, NM, is launching today, according to a company press release.
NetMedical is a medical services company that provides clinical and diagnostic programs for rural hospitals using telemedicine. The company also develops FDA 510k cleared all-inclusive picture archiving systems for the medical market.
NetMedical’s services provide remote neurological exams for those suffering from stroke, concussion, seizure, migraine, minor head trauma, epilepsy, functional disorders and movement disorders. Imaging is available in 2D or 3D, allowing neurologists not on the scene to quickly assess symptoms to help local doctors make medical decisions.
Someone, somewhere in the U.S. has a stroke every 53 seconds, according to Dr. Lee Schwamm at ABC News.
Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the U.S. Schwamm also reports that every year there are about 700,000 new strokes, costing $50 billion. Most will survive, but of those who do, 15 to 30 percent become disabled and many wind up in nursing homes, according to the source.
During a stroke, 1.9 million irreplaceable brain cells are lost every minute, so time is critical. But telemedicine – and remote access to specialists – has helped hospitals save stroke patients brought to the hospital for treatment.
"This program has already been highly beneficial for our stroke patients needing quick access to specialists such as neurologists,” said Maridel Acosta, CEO of Alta Vista Regional Hospital. “The biggest advantage is we can quickly treat the patient locally and not disrupt their normal lives by transferring them to remote regional trauma centers 200 miles away. This also is a great benefit to the families who now are not forced to travel long distances with the patient."
NetMedical uses multiple back-up systems, including Apple's iPad, tablets, multi-camera viewing, custom programming of its XR-EXpress PACS system and report generators, as well as a credentialing process built into XR-EXpress for its licensed neurologists.
NetMedical released last year’s financial results in its 2011 Xpress Reports last month.
Edited by
Braden Becker
