Memorial Primary Stroke Center links to Stone County Hospital

GULFPORT, Miss. — Technology linking Stone County Hospital Emergency Department to neurologists at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport is helping decrease the time to assess and begin treatment of acute stroke patients in Stone County.

The Telestroke Network is a secure two-way audio/video link that allows immediate access for the neurologist, emergency physician, patient, family and caregivers to see and talk with each other to effectively assess the medical situation and discuss critical next steps. The connection allows the off-site neurologist to examine CT scans and visually examine the patient.

Time is a major factor in the treatment of acute stroke.  It’s critical that patients receive specialized stroke care within the first hour of arrival to a hospital. The Telestroke Network between Memorial Hospital at Gulfport and Stone County Hospital allows for patients to receive expert stroke care in their community emergency department provided by stroke specialists from a Joint Commission Certified Primary Stroke Center. 

The F.A.S.T. test for stroke warning signs includes: 
Face:  Ask the person to smile.  Does one side of the face droop?
Arms:  Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
Time: If you observe any of these signs (independently or together), call 911 immediately.
(Source: National Stroke Association)