McPherson Hospital
MCPHERSON, Kan. — WesleyCare Virtual Network (WCVN) is now providing telemedicine stroke-neurology and acute-neurology services to McPherson Hospital. The WCVN Telemedicine program is an innovative system that uses technology to bring the best of stroke and neurology care to Central Kansas.
“Every second counts in minimizing the damage a stroke can cause to the brain – quick assessment and personalized care are key,” says Dr. Chris Fanale, who developed the H1VN Tele-Stroke Program. “Having this state-of-the-art telemedicine program puts the stroke specialist instantly in the room with a patient and ER physician. As a stroke neurologist, I can have a conversation with the patient and family, examine the patient’s ability to move and speak, and even zoom in to assess pupil reactivity. We can talk to EMS and ER staff and assess monitors and vital signs immediately. There is no other system in the region that is currently offering this level of care to stroke victims.”
WCVN allows for a neurologist to be linked via telemedicine cart to emergency physicians and hospitalist providers at McPherson Hospital. By utilizing the WCVN technology, McPherson Hospital will be instantly connected to a stroke-trained neurologist. The system allows patients suffering from neurological events or stroke-like conditions be examined and diagnosed, while the patient is still in McPherson.
The telemedicine technology utilizes a mobile cart with an onboard computer, monitor, high-resolution camera and microphone to simultaneously transmit the audio and video portions of a physician consult. Patient medical records, including radiology scans, can be accessed. The patient, local physician/provider and the neurologist can conduct online consults anywhere there is an internet connection.
“We are excited to be on the cutting edge of technology to provide specialty care access to our critically ill patients,” said Charity Clark, COO, McPherson Hospital. “The Wesley Telemedicine Network will allow us to bring a neurologist into the patients room to work beside our care team when the response time for a stroke patient is so vital.”
A stroke occurs when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain or when an artery in the brain ruptures, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding. Brain cells critically depend on a consistent flow of oxygen and glucose rich blood. When this flow is interrupted by a stroke, brain cells begin to die. Because our body cannot replicate nerve cells, strokes can lead to permanent brain damage and disability. The negative effects of stroke depend upon which part of the brain the stroke occurs in. Therefore, strokes produce a wide array of symptoms, including paralysis, inability to speak, memory loss, and loss of cognitive ability.
Telemedicine is a significant and rapidly growing component of healthcare in the United States. There are currently about 200 telemedicine networks, with 3,500 service sites in the US. Over half of all U.S. hospitals now use some form of telemedicine.