The Maywood, Ill.-based Loyola Medicine and Palos Community Hospital, also in Illinois, have launched a telemedicine program that allows specialists in Maywood to assist Palos physicians with stroke care.
Loyola neurologists who specialize in stroke care will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Working in close collaboration with Palos physicians and nurses, Loyola’s stroke specialists will use a telemedicine robot to conduct patient exams remotely, in real time, according to officials.
The robot is equipped with a microphone and a full-color, high-definition camera. The robot instantly transmits electronic medical records (EMRs), lab results and images such as CT scans over a secure, high-speed internet connection, officials say. Working from the remote location, the Loyola neurologist can see, hear and talk to the patient and the patient's family, doctors and nurses. In certain complex cases, the Loyola neurologist will recommend the patient be transferred to Loyola for surgery or other advanced care that is not available at a community hospital.
Palos is one of five community hospitals now participating in Loyola’s telestroke network. The program was created by physician experts who have years of experience in direct bedside applications of telemedicine technology, according to officials.
“Our goal is to help our patients, in the community and close to home, making it ultimately easier for patients to receive university-level care here at Palos,” Craig Adams, M.D., director of Hospital Medicine at Palos Community Hospital, said in a statement. “When a patient requires highly specialized stroke care, such as neurosurgery, our relationship with Loyola will provide access in a timely and efficient manner.”
