Allina Telehealth Network launches
Network provides regional hospitals with 24-hour access to metro area stroke care experts
MINNEAPOLIS 09/09/2010--Patients at Buffalo Hospital and New Ulm Medical Center will have 24-hour access to stroke care experts at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis via the Allina Telehealth Network, beginning September 10.
The Remote Presence RP-7® Robot allows an Abbott Northwestern Hospital stroke expert to examine patients at Buffalo Hospital and New Ulm Medical Center.
Benefits to patients
The Allina Telehealth Network offers patients many benefits:
- immediate, 24-hour bedside access to stroke care experts who may not be available at community hospital
- improved timeliness of stroke care, which results in a greater chance for a successful recovery and mitigates long-term disability resulting from stroke
- a shorter length of stay in the hospital because of immediate access to care
- ability to receive care locally and close to home, which is more convenient for patient and patient’s family
- reduced medical expenses if transportation to a metro facility is not required.
The Allina Telehealth Network also will expand quickly to other regional hospitals and will include stroke care experts at United Hospital in St. Paul.
Immediate stroke treatment essential
As with any medical emergency, the faster a patient receives proper treatment, the better the chances are for a successful recovery. This is especially true for stroke patients, as restoring blood flow to the brain minimizes the potential for long-term damage or impairment.
In the metro area, Allina is a leading resource for comprehensive stroke care, with 24-hour access to neurologists, interventional neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons. However, access to this level of expertise in regional hospitals is limited. That is about to change.
Real-time assessments by stroke neurologists
The Allina Telehealth Network allows Abbott Northwestern stroke neurologists, from the Noran Neurological Clinic, to provide real-time, around-the-clock neurological assessments via Telehealth equipment placed in the emergency departments at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Buffalo Hospital and New Ulm Medical Center.
The overall goal is to provide patients at regional hospitals with access to resources and specialty care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"Timeliness of care is especially important when caring for a stroke patient, since time essentially equals the amount of brain functioning that can be preserved," said Penny Wheeler, MD, chief clinical officer, Allina Hospitals & Clinics.
"Telehealth will enable more rapid assessment by stroke experts for patients in regional areas. By doing so, our goal is to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes by allowing patients to receive care close to home, improving quality, and ensuring a well coordinated transfer when more advanced treatment is required."
Allina Telehealth Network additions
About Allina Hospitals & Clinics
Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit system of hospitals, clinics and other health care services, providing care throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Allina owns and operates 11 hospitals, more than 90 clinics, and health care services, including home care, hospice and palliative care, oxygen and medical equipment, pharmacies and emergency medical transportation.
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