Remote Presence hospital networks to accelerate patient's access to clinical stroke experts

May 18 2010

InTouch Health, the world leader in Remote Presence Total Telemedicine solutions, is advancing stroke care by developing Remote Presence hospital networks that accelerate a patient's access to clinical stroke experts. To date, the Company has more than 25 stroke and multispecialty care networks comprised of over 300 hospital locations.

“Because Remote Presence enables highly trained stroke specialists to immediately assess the patients located at any network hospital, 70% of patients within the Michigan Stroke Network are able to stay in their community hospital”

Based on national statistics, only 2-3% of stroke patients presenting in hospital emergency rooms are receiving proper care according to best practices in stroke treatment. At the Michigan Stroke Network, stroke patients are receiving appropriate treatment at 5-6 times the national average by utilizing InTouch Health's solutions to bring stroke specialists to patients quickly and efficiently.

"InTouch Health Remote Presence is a break-through technology that addresses the barriers and thought processes of old techniques in stroke care," stated Jack Weiner, CEO of St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, the hub hospital for the Michigan Stroke Network. "From a clinical standpoint, Remote Presence is the best way to address the stroke population as a whole. Due to the gross misdistribution of specialists, Remote Presence offers a way to balance specialized stroke care in an equitable and cost efficient manner. Where you live should not be the reason for varying levels of clinical outcomes."

Few hospitals have 24/7 access to stroke neurologists for emergency stroke care, and even fewer are able to staff one of the 500 neurointerventional specialists qualified to deliver advanced stroke interventions. "Because Remote Presence enables highly trained stroke specialists to immediately assess the patients located at any network hospital, 70% of patients within the Michigan Stroke Network are able to stay in their community hospital," commented Dr. Yulun Wang, Chairman and CEO of InTouch Health. "Without this expert consultation, the patients may be transferred to another facility, which is not only costly to them and their family members, but may lower quality of care due to delay of treatment."

"Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States but the leading cause of disability," Dr. Robert Rosenwasser, Chief of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Jefferson University Hospitals notes. "Given its prevalence and time-sensitive nature, it is alarming how few people receive treatment in the appropriate amount of time. Our teleneuroscience network, using InTouch's Remote Presence, allows patients in remote areas to receive expert stroke consultation and appropriate treatment immediately in cases where every minute can make a critical difference."

InTouch Health will be showcasing its full suite of products and services at the American Telemedicine Association Meeting in San Antonio, TX, on May 16-18, 2010.

SOURCE InTouch Health