Stroke Care, Anywhere, with Telestroke in Northern California
Telemedicine provides care from a distance to patients who do not have readily available access to medical care. Telestroke care is a form of telemedicine for stroke patients.
No matter where you are, you can get advanced stroke care from a Dignity Health North State neurologist with telestroke in Northern California. To learn more about telemedicine, including telestroke, Find a Doctor online.
What is Telestroke?
Many health care facilities are not equipped to care for stroke patients. Because stroke requires care within four hours of the first signs and symptoms of a stroke, these facilities are often not able to transport patients to a facility that can provide the care they need. Telestroke care allows Dignity Health neurology departments to treat these patients for stroke who don’t have access to a neurologist, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How Does Telestroke Care Work?
When a patient goes into their home facility for emergency care for a suspected stroke, the emergency care team will run initial diagnostics. This includes emergency radiation to identify blood clots. The test findings are then relayed to the telestroke neurologist through video conferencing, using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The neurologist may also perform a remote neurologic exam on the patient. Once a full diagnosis is made, the neurologist will prescribe stroke treatment which can be given by the doctors at the home facility.
What to Expect with Telestroke Care at Dignity Health North State
Before you receive telestroke care, you must sign a consent form allowing your information to transmitted to one of our expert neurologist. The neurologist may ask you or your family members questions about incidents leading up to the stroke, family history, and other vital information.
If the neurologist recommends medicine to break up blood clots, your local home hospital will administer it. The Dignity Health North State telestroke team will be available to answer questions from your doctor throughout treatment and recovery, and can provide follow-up if needed.
Dignity Health North State hospitals offers stroke care, no matter where you are, with telestroke services in Mt. Shasta, Red Bluff, and Redding, CA.