Stroke Telemedicine Program
For a patient who has had a stroke, every minute counts. The UPMC Stroke Institute has implemented a stroke telemedicine program, which uses state-of-the-art videoconferencing technology to link experts at the UPMC Stroke Institute to Emergency Department (ED) physicians, allowing more patients to be treated faster and closer to home.
These special units feature a computer monitor and remote-controlled camera and allow for two-way audio/video communication with stroke experts, who are able to "see" and assess the patient; ask questions of the patient, family members, and physicians; and view CT scans – all in real-time – to help assess the patient’s condition and help ED physicians determine if the patient is a candidate for acute stroke therapy.