The Comprehensive Stroke Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center launched a tele-stroke network to help patients in rural communities receive state-of-the-art stroke therapies. Wake Forest Baptist's stroke network provides access to physicians that are nationally recognized for stroke care. Through the network, patients in rural areas will now have rapid access to stroke experts and to the latest state-of-the-art stroke therapies and interventions. Wake Forest Baptist was one of the first to set up this type of program in North Carolina for stroke patients.
"We are excited that Lexington Hospital was the first hospital to participate in the Wake Forest Baptist tele-stroke network," said Donny Lambeth, president and chief operating officer of North Carolina Baptist Hospital. "This is a wonderful example of how community hospitals and academic medical centers partner to enhance quality of care."
Emergency room physicians in local community hospitals will have access to five stroke neurologists 24/7 via a telemedicine robotic system that allows a Wake Forest Baptist stroke expert to evaluate and consult with them. Wake Forest Baptist stroke neurologists have either completed fellowship training in the care of stroke patients or are board-certified in vascular neurology.