Stroke treatment going the high-tech distance
Link: http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2006/01/23/daily37.html?jst=b_ln_hl
The Denver Business Journal - January 25, 2006
The Colorado Neurological Institute (CNI), the Swedish Medical Center and Blue Sky Neurology have designed a new program called the Colorado Digital Online Consultant (CO-DOC) to treat Colorado stroke patients from long-distances.
CO-DOC technology offers two-way video and communications over the internet so doctors can examine and offer treatment while the patient is in a different location. Too often, hospitals outside of the metro area do not have the necessary neurology expertise, so neurologists from other locations are needed.
"When a patient suffers a stroke, time is absolutely critical," said Dr. Chris Fanale, the physician coordinator for CO-DOC. "This technology makes it so I'm almost literally in the room next to the patient. I can now 'be' at a hospital 100 miles away in a matter of minutes -- overcoming the hurdles of time and distance that can mean life or death for some people."
The first installation occurred recently at Vail Valley Medical Center and -- once the training is complete -- will be available for interactive use.
The costs of CO-DOC telemedicine are split between donors such as Doug Tisdale who donated $17,500 for the Vail installation, and the hospitals they are installed in. A retail set of machines for one remote location is between $50,000 - $60,000, but CNI has negotiated a price about $20,000 cheaper.
Once the Vail telemedicine proves to be successful, CNI will look into installing more of the technology in other locations based on the incidence of strokes, which varies in different cities.
Medicare has set a precedent that the interactive telemedicine consultations will be covered like a typical consultation with a doctor. Private insurance companies often follow Medicare's lead.
More than 7,000 people in Colorado suffered from strokes last year, often without the care that CO-DOC can provide.