ONEIDA, N.Y. — Dr. Jason Lorenc, chief medical officer at Oneida Health, believes joining the telestroke network of Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse will make a big difference. “This collaboration through telemedicine not only enhances the speed, quality, and effectiveness of treatment for patients experiencing strokes, but also marks a critical improvement in stroke care,” […]
ONEIDA, N.Y. — Dr. Jason Lorenc, chief medical officer at Oneida Health, believes joining the telestroke network of Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse will make a big difference.
“This collaboration through telemedicine not only enhances the speed, quality, and effectiveness of treatment for patients experiencing strokes, but also marks a critical improvement in stroke care,” Lorenc said in an Upstate announcement. “Our patients will benefit from this this collaboration.”
Oneida Health Hospital in Oneida joined the telestroke network at Upstate University Hospital’s comprehensive stroke center earlier this year.
Through its telestroke network, Upstate University Hospital is able to connect its stroke specialists with the medical staff at Oneida Health Hospital, which is located about 30 miles east of Syracuse. The stroke specialists can help in the assessment and care of patients at the Oneida facility who may be having a stroke. Oneida’s telestroke connection went live on Feb. 26.
When a patient comes to Oneida Health Hospital with symptoms of a possible stroke, Oneida Health Hospital staff can now consult with an Upstate stroke specialist. “Within minutes,” a televideo-conference connection allows stroke specialists to view the CT brain scan. The specialist can also examine the patient and talk with patients, families, and physicians about early intervention and facilitating care — both are “crucial steps” in improving outcomes for patients suffering a stroke.
“Being part of Upstate University Hospital Stroke Center’s Telestroke Network enables our patients to receive top-notch stroke care from specialized neurologists at a tertiary care facility while remaining at their local community hospital,” Felissa Koernig, president and CEO of Oneida Health, said in its announcement. “We are proud to collaborate with Upstate to deliver this vital care.”
Dr. Robert Corona, CEO of Upstate University Hospital, applauded the partnership with Oneida Hospital.
“As the only academic medical center in this region, it is imperative that we assist the hospitals in our area with the support they need,” Corona said in the announcement. “This partnership in stroke care extends our commitment to providing timely, life-saving care for stroke patients at Oneida Hospital. Together, we will improve outcomes for patients and continue advancing the standard of stroke care across the region.”
The standard protocol for ischemic (non-hemorrhagic) stroke treatment is intravenous tPA, a clot-busting drug that can provide maximum benefit to patients if administered within a short time after the appearance of the first signs of stroke. Quick action and administration of the drug can give to stroke patients the best chance at not only survival but also functional recovery, which can mean a life with little or no disability.
With the addition of Oneida Hospital, Upstate’s telestroke network now supports stroke care and diagnosis at 13 hospitals across the region. Over the past two years, the Upstate telestroke network has conducted 229 telestroke consults with its partner hospitals.
Upstate is the region’s first Comprehensive Stroke Center as designated by DNV Healthcare, a national hospital accrediting body, per the announcement. The New York State Department of Health also designates Upstate as a Primary Stroke Center.
The designations represent the “highest level” of accredited stroke center designation available in New York, Upstate said.
