For a patient who has had a stroke, every minute counts. UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital has partnered with the UPMC Stroke Institute to implement a stroke telemedicine system to help assess potential stroke patients and deliver timely treatment. This system uses state-of-the-art videoconferencing technology to link experts at the UPMC Stroke Institute to Emergency Department (ED) physicians at Magee.
These special units feature a computer monitor and remote-controlled camera and allow for two-way audio/video communication with stroke experts, who are able to "see" and assess the patient; ask questions of the patient, family members, and doctors; and view CT scans — all in real-time — to help assess the patient's condition and help ED physicians determine if the patient is a candidate for acute stroke therapy.
