07-06-2010

Lexington Memorial Hospital became a certified Stroke Center on June 21, 2010.  Key to their success was the implementation of a "Telestroke Network" which teams Neurologists at the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center with Emergency Physicians at Lexington Memorial Hospital (EMP of Davidson County, Ltd.)

The Telestroke Network made its debut last December and is the first of its kind in North Carolina. It provides emergency room physicians 24/7 access to board certified stroke neurologists at Wake Forest Baptist, through two-way live video and audio consultation.

"It brings the neurologic experts at Wake Forest Baptist to a patient's bedside within minutes, regardless of how far away a patient is," said John Perrin, M.D., assistant director of Emergency Medicine Physicians (EMP) in Davidson County.

Through the internet, the neurologist logs onto a control station, which connects remotely to a highly specialized, telemedicine robot called the InTouch RP-7^TM. The neurologist is able to move the robot freely. He can visualize and interact with the patient and medical staff at the hospital, and determine if the patient is a candidate for interventions including tPA, or if the symptoms warrant transfer.

"Neurologists have been able to aid in making difficult decisions in real time," said Kevin Corrigan, M.D., Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Lexington Memorial Hospital.   Dr Corrigan continued to add that when possible, a patient is able to stay at the community hospital for care yet participate in a difficult discussion with an expert in the field.  With the help of Emergency Physicians, Dr Corrigan and others expect that the Telestroke Network will improve stroke care across North Carolina. 

Emergency Medicine Physicians has partnered with Lexington Memorial Hospital since 2003.