Each Tuesday, we dedicate time to share and celebrate the triumphs within the stroke care community, a tradition we fondly call Telestroke Tuesday.
It’s a day marked by sharing inspiring stories of survival, recovery, and the groundbreaking technology that makes these successes possible.
Telestroke Tuesday isn’t just about celebrating progress; it’s about reinforcing the hope, commitment, and innovation that drive us forward in the fight against stroke.
How Are These Telestroke Success Stories Made Possible? Through The Lifesaving Trio Of Technology, Speed, and Virtual Neurologists.
The fusion of technology, speed, and expert care can mean the difference between life-altering disability and remarkable recovery. Stroke care, with its critical time window for effective intervention, stands out as an area where this trio shines, particularly through advancements in teleneurology.
A prime example of innovation in this field is Sevaro’s Synapse 2.0 platform, a game-changer in delivering rapid and efficient stroke care.
Synapse 2.0: Revolutionizing Teleneurology
Synapse 2.0 is not just software; it’s a comprehensive ecosystem designed to empower neurologists with everything they need for telemedicine, consolidated onto a single screen. With features like EMR integration, immediate access to imaging, seamless video communication, and streamlined documentation, Synapse 2.0 is at the forefront of telestroke treatment.
Its OneCall™ feature is particularly noteworthy, connecting telestroke programs with on-call physicians within an astonishing 45 seconds, ensuring that treatment decisions start immediately.
Speed: The Heartbeat of Stroke Recovery
The golden hour—the critical period where treatment can significantly reduce the effects of a stroke—underscores the value of speed in stroke care.
Synapse 2.0’s SimpleScheduler and Triage App components are vital tools in this race against time. SimpleScheduler ensures the right providers are always on schedule, equipped with the necessary state licenses, credentials, and privileges. Meanwhile, the Triage App facilitates on-the-go provider response, enabling Sevaro OneCall to bypass voicemails and direct calls to the next available provider without delay.
Teleneurologists: The Human Touch Behind the Screen
At the heart of this technological marvel are the teleneurologists, whose expertise turns potential tragedy into stories of hope and recovery.
Their ability to provide immediate, expert care via the Synapse 2.0 platform is transforming the landscape of stroke treatment. With features like Nirvana Notes, these specialists can quickly capture and sync data from patient encounters, enhancing the quality of care and ensuring no detail is missed during these critical moments.
Real-Life Impact: Stories of Hope
Meet Michael, a 57-year-old who has a history of atrial fibrillation.
Concerned about bleeding, he stopped taking warfarin. Unfortunately, he fell at work and was found unable to get up due to dense left-sided paralysis, loss of sensation, and impaired vision on the left side.
Thanks to a quick evaluation by a telestroke neurologist, Marcus received TNK within just 12 minutes!
A CTA confirmed distal M1 and M2 occlusions, which required thrombectomy for successful clot removal. Remarkably, Michael was discharged home without any stroke symptoms just 4 days later.
He has now switched to apixaban, a more effective and safer blood thinner compared to warfarin, as it significantly reduces the risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, major bleeding, and even death.
🌟 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗨𝗽 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹: 𝗔 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 🌟
Imagine driving home from the grocery store, a routine trip turned life-changing in moments. Jackson, 54, experienced just that. After a minor car accident, he noticed his mind clouding and an inability to read road signs, a prelude to his right leg and arm going limp upon reaching home. In a state of panic, with his speech faltering, he managed to dial 911.
Thanks to the quick thinking of the dispatcher and the swift arrival of paramedics, Jackson was evaluated by a #telestroke neurologist who identified a clot in his left middle cerebral artery. In the hands of skilled neurosurgeons, a long clot was successfully aspirated in the angiography suite.
Jackson’s journey to recovery was miraculous. Within three days, he made a full recovery, a testament not only to the advancements in telestroke care but also to the resilience of the human spirit.
Lying in his hospital bed, Jackson had an epiphany. The experience served as a wake-up call he could not ignore. He vowed to never smoke again, welcoming a second chance at life with open arms.
A Wake-Up Call to Heart Health.
Lawrence’s story highlights a critical health insight: the left atrial appendage is often a hotspot for clots, especially in those with heart conditions like atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
Thankfully, with swift medical intervention and the start of apixaban therapy, Lawrence experienced a remarkable neurological recovery during his week-long hospital stay.
Lawrence’s journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of heart health and the need for awareness about stroke risks. Stay vigilant and proactive in your health journey!
Just when life seemed to be looking up for 86-year-old Ralph, celebrating a year of cancer remission with his loved ones, an unexpected challenge struck. A morning that started with Ralph cooking a big breakfast for his family quickly turned alarming when he began to show clear signs of a stroke—confusion, slurred speech, and left-sided weakness. In these moments, every second counts.
Thanks to the swift action of Ralph’s son and the quick response of EMS, Ralph was rushed to the hospital where a 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁 was immediately on the case. Diagnosing Ralph with a right M2 occlusion, the team wasted no time.
𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗽𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘆, 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹. ⏱️👀
The outcome? A testament to the power of fast diagnosis and immediate treatment in stroke care. Ralph emerged from this life-threatening situation with only mild facial droop and tingling on his left side—a remarkable recovery that highlights the incredible impact of telestroke specialists.
🌟 𝗟𝗲𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗲’𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗵 🌟
A fast connection with a vascular neurologist can be the difference between life and death when it comes to stroke treatment.
Take LeAnne’s story for example – at 81 years old, she experienced a sudden fall in her kitchen and developed drooping of the face and slurred speech.
Thanks to her friend acting swiftly and calling 911, LeAnne was able to receive immediate care from a telestroke neurologist who diagnosed her with a right M1 occlusion.
After undergoing a mechanical thrombectomy, LeAnne was able to walk out of the hospital within 3 days and a NIHSS score of 0.
Marla noticed something unusual during breakfast. Her 71 year old husband Alvin was behaving oddly. His responses were nonsensical. Alvin also struggled to hold his spoon, and it slipped from his grasp several times before he lost the ability to use his right arm altogether.
Marla immediately dialed 911. Little did she know that Alvin was in the midst of a stroke, affecting the left side of his brain. He did not receive TNK as Marla couldn’t pinpoint when Alvin was last completely normal. The telestroke neurologist identified that a previously implanted left carotid stent had nearly closed up. Additionally, a blood clot had lodged itself in Alvin’s left middle cerebral artery.
The neuroendovascular surgeon performed an angioplasty and stenting procedure, followed by the aspiration of the blood clot. Remarkably, within a day of the life-saving intervention Alvin had no lingering effects from the stroke.