Bass Coast Health (BCH) staff have been able to optimise their stroke-response through a key partnership with the Victorian Stroke Telemedicine (VST) network.
Stroke occurs when blood cannot get to the brain due to a blocked or burst artery. As a result, brain cells die due to lack of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in long-term disability such as speech and cognitive impairment, and paralysis.
Stroke is a major health concern and between January and mid-April, the Wonthaggi Emergency Department at Wonthaggi Hospital has treated 88 stroke patients who have had a stroke.
BCH was proud to welcome VST representatives Professor Chris Bladin and Dearne Stewart, Manager of VST, to the new Wonthaggi Hospital where we discussed the latest innovations in care, and built on the excellent collaboration to date.
Prof Bladin ran an education session, discussing the latest updates in early stroke management and the new initiatives VST is rolling out.
VST uses real-time brain imaging to allow the remote consultations, which can save lives. The VST service enables clinicians in any Emergency Department in the state to collaborate with specialist neurologists from health services to deliver the best care possible to patients with stroke, irrespective of their location.
The VST service links 17 Victorian hospitals and 2 Tasmanian hospitals to a network of stroke consultants who virtually provide treatment advice about patients with acute stroke symptoms.
BCH Operations Director Bernie McKenna said BCH’s link with VST was vital, given a prompt response to treating stroke is a critical success factor in reducing long-term stroke implications.
Signs of stroke include a drooped face, arms unable to be raised, dizziness, loss of vision and slurred speech. If stroke is suspected, call Triple Zero immediately.
According to the Stroke Foundation, more than 80 per cent of strokes can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle, reducing high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and managing Type 2 diabetes and atrial fibrillation.
More information can be found here: https://strokefoundation.org.au