Telestroke

Patients at Watertown Regional Medical Center have instant access to stroke specialists from UW Hospitals and Clinics.  The telestroke program is the first of its kind in the state of Wisconsin.  The UW Health Comprehensive Stroke Program is certified by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. The program offers a breadth of expertise and a full range of stroke services, from prevention to acute care treatment, advanced neuro-imaging, specialized rehabilitation and clinical trials.

What is telestroke?
Telestroke is a technology that allows UW Health stroke neurologists located in Madison, to assist Watertown Regional Medical Center in the diagnosis of patients who arrive at the hospital emergency department with a suspected stroke, as well as provide support in deciding on the best treatment options for the patient. In the emergency department exam room, there is a video camera system, microphone and computer that allow UW Health stroke neurologists to view the patient and communicate with  physicians in Watertown. The patient and family are also able to see and hear the UW Health stroke physician through the video link.

How does telestroke work?
Telestroke uses technology to make the most of the expertise of UW Health neurologists who specialize in the care of stroke patients. With the aid of the computer-video system, the UW Health stroke neurologist is able to directly interview the patient and/or family members, perform a neurological examination including the complete National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and directly view the Computed Tomography (CT) scan to evaluate for intracranial hemorrhage or conditions that may mimic stroke in clinical presentation. The telestroke neurologist then communicates a treatment recommendation directly to the emergency department doctors and nurses working with the patient in the emergency room to provide the best possible care.

How does telestroke affect my loved one's care?
Telestroke supports the expertise of emergency department doctors by providing immediate assistance in situations when a stroke is suspected. Because there is a shortage of stroke specialists, most communities do not have this level of expertise available. Telestroke provides an extra level of stroke-specific expertise that enhances patient safety and facilitates treatments that lead to better outcomes.

How can I be sure that my loved one's private health information is protected?
Several security measures ensure that your loved one's health information is kept confidential. No recordings are made from the camera or microphone. The telestroke consultation occurs over the Internet and is scrambled, or encrypted, so that it is only accessible to physicians with authorized access. The consultation report by the telestroke physician is kept in the medical record at the hospital where the patient presents in the emergency room.