BERWICK Berwick Hospital Center recently began participating in a program that provides round-the-clock coverage by board-certified neurologists and neurosurgeons specialists considered essential in early diagnosis and treatment of strokes.
Prior to Sept.17, patients admitted to the 101-bed hospital showing symptoms of a possible stroke would likely be immediately transferred to another facility.
But when it comes to stroke care, time is critical, and so is having a neurologist on hand to evaluate a patient, make a diagnosis and begin proper treatment, according to a hospital news release.
And thanks to the latest in technology and an innovative program provided by the Penn State Hershey Neuroscience Institute, Berwick Hospital Center now provides stroke patients with that specialist diagnosis and treatment.
The new program, LionNet TeleStroke, is a partnership between community hospitals and Penn State Hershey to improve patient care via telemedicine.
When a patient experiencing stroke arrives in the emergency room at Berwick, neurologists on staff at Hershey are immediately connected to the attending physicians through a secure website via a specialized monitor at the Berwick hospital.
The Hershey doctors provide consultation, examine the patients, review CT scans and speak to the patient and family. A treatment is recommended and the Berwick physician determines the best course of action.
This is a win-win situation for everyone, Diane Rinker, director of emergency services at Berwick Hospital Center, said. It keeps patients in their community and it allows the family the comfort of having their loved one hospitalized close to home.
Berwick is the 11th Pennsylvania hospital to join the TeleStroke program, according to Kathy Morrison, stroke program manager at Penn State Hershey.
There are so few neurologists in Pennsylvania, Morrison said. This region is not blessed to have one. Through the advances of technology, Berwick is now prepared to provide the right care at the right time and the right place.
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New program to improve stroke patient treatment launched at Berwick Hospital