RMH participating in Upstate’s telestroke network

ROME, N.Y. — Rome Memorial Hospital (RMH) has signed on to participate in the telestroke network at Upstate University Hospital’s Comprehensive Stroke Center in Syracuse.

Through its telestroke network, Upstate University Hospital is able to connect its stroke specialists with the RMH medical staff to “aid in the assessment and care” of patients at the Rome facility who may be having a stroke, per a Wednesday news release.

When a patient arrives at the RMH emergency department with stroke symptoms, staff can now consult with an Upstate stroke specialist. Then, over a televideo conference connection, physicians can view the CT brain scan; examine the patient; and talk with patients, families, and physicians about early intervention and facilitating care.

Both are considered “crucial steps in improving outcomes” for patients suffering a stroke, Upstate said.

With the addition of Rome Memorial Hospital, Upstate’s telestroke network now supports stroke care and diagnosis at 10 hospitals across the region. They are the Upstate University Hospital Community Campus (formerly Community General Hospital) in Syracuse; Carthage Area Hospital in Carthage; Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg; Clifton-Fine Hospital in Star Lake in St. Lawrence County; Cortland Regional Medical Center in Cortland; Lewis County General Hospital in Lowville; River Hospital in Alexandria Bay; Gouverneur Hospital in Gouverneur; and, Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown.

Reaction

Dr. Andrew Bushnell, VP and chief medical officer at Rome Memorial Hospital, “welcomes the partnership” with Upstate on this initiative.

“The ability to be part of Upstate University Hospital Stroke Center’s telestroke network provides our patients with high quality stroke care from specialty stroke neurologists located at a tertiary-care facility while at their community hospital,” Bushnell said in the Upstate release.

“The relationship with Rome Memorial Hospital in the care of stroke patients is precisely what the role is for the region’s only academic medical center,” Dr. Robert Corona, CEO of Upstate University Hospital, said.

Corona went on to say that it is “imperative” that an academic medical center provide area hospitals with the “support they need.”

“Our telestroke network is a perfect example: It allows us to deliver stroke care without borders. And while we may be an hour’s drive from Rome, we can instantly connect our stroke experts with the Rome medical team to provide the patient with the best treatment possible,” he said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com