MANNING Hospital has joined with John Hunter Hospital to deliver life-saving stroke treatment to patients in the Manning, thanks to new telehealth technology.
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"Telehealth technology allows the exchange of information and diagnostic test results via videoconferencing and internet technology, shaving hours off treatment times," the project's clinical lead, Conjoint Professor Chris Levi.
It means the people of the Manning Valley will have access to stroke care from one of the best stroke teams in Australia without leaving their community.
The Taree Tele-thrombolysis service has been officially launched at Manning Hospital.
The service has been developed in partnership with the local community, and builds on Hunter New England Health's reputation for healthcare innovation and the world-class stroke research being conducted at the Hunter Medical Research Institute. The University of Newcastle is also a partner.
Clinicians will work together using real-time videoconferencing to more quickly assess ischemic stroke sufferers' suitability for Thrombolysis one of the most effective treatments available for this type of stroke.
Professor Levi said Manning stroke patients who were found to be eligible for Thrombolysis were currently transported by ambulance to John Hunter Hospital. But because the treatment could only be given within 4.5 hours of the onset of stroke, few made the trip in time.
"We'll be able to save more lives and reduce the level of disability experienced by many stroke patients," Professor Levi explained. "Safety will also be enhanced, with fewer unnecessary high-speed transfers. And local clinicians will learn new skills in acute stroke management that will benefit the entire region."
Professor Levi said Manning clinicians and JHH Stroke Neurologists would assess patients together via bedside critical care cameras, and share CT scans and other diagnostic test results via the internet.
"Importantly, if the service proves successful, we could look at expanding it to other areas," he said. Dr Levi said the staff at Manning Hospital have been 'fantastic.'
"John Hunter and Manning are working really well together,'' he said.
"All the stroke unit staff here, the nurses and particularly the ED staff and x-ray staff, because there's a lot of work for them to do in terms of making sure they have the systems in place and to make sure the right scans are done.
"The scans are important because we need to see them to be confident. Electronically, not only can we see and talk to the patient, we can also see the scan when it comes down the line to us.
"We have all the information we need to make an informed decision and have the confidence that the patient here is getting just as good an assessment as they would in front of us in Newcastle.
"It's a bit of a disgrace that it's taken so long, but we're getting there.''
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The Taree Tele-thrombolysis service is a partnership between Manning Hospital, John Hunter Hospital Neurology, HNE Health Information Technology, NSW Ambulance (Northern), the University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), Mid North Coast Diagnostic Imaging and local Quota clubs.
Dr Levi thanked Quota in particular, for their help and support to raise money to support the service.
For more information on stroke, contact the StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 or the National Stroke Foundation at www.strokefoundation.com.au
The Taree Tele-thrombolysis service is a partnership between Manning Hospital, John Hunter Hospital Neurology, HNE Health Information Technology, NSW Ambulance (Northern), the University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), Mid North Coast Diagnostic Imaging and local Quota clubs.
Professor Levi said it was very important that the community recognised stroke symptoms and understood treatment was available.
"We want people to think and act FAST: Face, Arms, Speech and Time. Has the person's mouth dropped? Can they use their arms? Is their speech affected? Can they understand you? If you see any of these signs - call 000."