Technology has enabled the launch of a remote method to assess suspected stroke victims.
West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (WHTH), in partnership with East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST), has launched a pilot video assessment programme at Watford General Hospital.
With over 20 stroke patients already benefiting, the programme works by connecting ambulance crews to a specialist via a tablet. It hopes to ensure patients receive swift yet appropriate care within hospitals, bypassing the need for any assessment in Accident & Emergency.
Several specialists expressed their approval of the new system, with Dr. Tolu Adesina (consultant stroke physician and clinical lead for strokes at WHTH) commenting: “We have found this an extremely useful innovation, with one patient being scanned within two minutes of arrival.”
Specialists can arrange tests and scans prior to the patient's arrival, enabling faster administration of hyper-acute care. This type of treatment involves extensive 72-hour monitoring of post-stroke patients.
Andrew Larby, clinical lead for stroke video triage at EEAST, stated: “We know the sooner patients receive hyperacute stroke treatment, the better their likely outcome," emphasising the benefits of using the video assessment system.
The programme has been running in other areas of the East of England region, with 60% of patients already pre-booked into stroke rehabilitation.
For more information, contact: 01923 436280 or westherts.communications@nhs.net.
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