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Memorial Hermann Sugar Land launches robotic stroke technology
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| New robotic stroke technology in use at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Sugar Land. |
By DIANE TEZENO
A cutting-edge technology in use at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Sugar Land, uses robotic technology, known as telemedicine, to aid doctors in the assessment and treatment of strokes.
Memorial Hermann Hospital‘s Southwest and Sugar Land locations are the only hospitals in the Houston area using the technology, according to Justin Kendrick, director of hospital operations for Memorial Hermann - Sugar Land.
With stroke the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of disability in adults, according to American Heart Association statistics, immediate medical attention and treatment are critical to aid in a positive outcome, according to Dr. Elizabeth Noser, medical director at MHHS.
The technology, referred to affectionately by hospital staff as, ‘Dr. Flatpanel,” a 5 1/2 foot robot, makes use of real-time, two-way audio and video and digital imaging and communications to allow doctors to assess individuals experiencing stroke symptoms in a time-sensitive manner.
The Sugar Land hospital began using the state-of-the-art robotic technology for stroke assessments in June, conducting an average two consultations per week, according to hospital staff.
Per recent AHA statistics, approximately 780,000 strokes will occur this year, 80 percent which are preventable. Of those strokes, 600,000 are first attacks, and 180,000 are recurrent attacks.
Through the use of telemedicine, doctors can begin immediate stroke assessment of patients with the guided help of a team of stroke experts.
In the face of a shortage of stroke specialists, telemedicine expands the reach of these physicians.
Stroke experts can see and interact with both the physician and patient through Dr. Flatpanel’s digital flat TV screen and can also review CT scans.
“High tech cameras on the robot can zoom in to the point a physician can tell if the patient has shaved that day,” said Kendrick.
The stroke expert downloads the application onto a laptop computer and with a joystick, camera and microphone, and uses remote access to operate the robot from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.
“A physician on the stroke team could be paged by hospital staff and could be out to dinner and could connect to and control the robot from his location through his lap top,” said Kendrick.
Through use of the technology, the physician could even drive the robot to the fourth floor of the hospital through use of a computer application and with someone's assistance in pushing the elevator button, provide a remote access patient consultation.
“The robotic telemedicine truly brings the technology to anywhere in the hospital, not simply in one fixed room,” said Kendrick.
Noser highlighted the symptoms that alert physicians to an impending stroke. Symptoms may include a severe headache with no known issues, numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, difficulty walking, loss of balance, trouble seeing out of one or both eyes or confusion or trouble speaking or understanding.
The standard advice to anyone experiencing these symptoms, or anyone witnessing these symptoms in another person, is to immediately call “911,” said Noser.
“Time lost is brain lost, and every second counts. The faster a patient can receive appropriate treatment, the greater the chance of recovery,” said Noser.
According to Noser, MHHS is the only stroke-certified hospital in the Sugar Land area.
“It is important to go to a stroke-certified facility because the staff is trained specifically in the quick diagnosis and care of stroke,” said Noser.
“If needed, our patients can be transferred by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann in the Texas Medical Center for more aggressive, cutting-edge therapies such as endovascular treatments and clinical research protocols,” said Noser.
Clot-busting stroke protocols continue to be used in the treatment of stroke, however, telemedicine, using robotic technology, has given MHHS physicians an additional tool in the treatment of strokes.
It will eventually enable patients who live far from major hospitals to be treated faster and receive the best care available, just as if they were in that major hospital, said Noser.
Noser’s hope is that this innovative robotic technology will allow stroke patients to receive clot-busting medication when they present to community or rural hospitals far outside of the walls of the Texas Medical Center.
“Further, we want these individuals to have the opportunity to be transferred and potentially receive endovascular therapies, if appropriate. This truly brings the highest level of stroke expertise to the community,” said Noser.
For more information, contact Memorial Hermann-Sugar Land, 17500 W. Grand Parkway South, at 281-725-5000.
Memorial Hermann Hospital‘s Southwest and Sugar Land locations are the only hospitals in the Houston area using the technology, according to Justin Kendrick, director of hospital operations for Memorial Hermann - Sugar Land.
With stroke the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of disability in adults, according to American Heart Association statistics, immediate medical attention and treatment are critical to aid in a positive outcome, according to Dr. Elizabeth Noser, medical director at MHHS.
The technology, referred to affectionately by hospital staff as, ‘Dr. Flatpanel,” a 5 1/2 foot robot, makes use of real-time, two-way audio and video and digital imaging and communications to allow doctors to assess individuals experiencing stroke symptoms in a time-sensitive manner.
The Sugar Land hospital began using the state-of-the-art robotic technology for stroke assessments in June, conducting an average two consultations per week, according to hospital staff.
Per recent AHA statistics, approximately 780,000 strokes will occur this year, 80 percent which are preventable. Of those strokes, 600,000 are first attacks, and 180,000 are recurrent attacks.
Through the use of telemedicine, doctors can begin immediate stroke assessment of patients with the guided help of a team of stroke experts.
In the face of a shortage of stroke specialists, telemedicine expands the reach of these physicians.
Stroke experts can see and interact with both the physician and patient through Dr. Flatpanel’s digital flat TV screen and can also review CT scans.
“High tech cameras on the robot can zoom in to the point a physician can tell if the patient has shaved that day,” said Kendrick.
The stroke expert downloads the application onto a laptop computer and with a joystick, camera and microphone, and uses remote access to operate the robot from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.
“A physician on the stroke team could be paged by hospital staff and could be out to dinner and could connect to and control the robot from his location through his lap top,” said Kendrick.
Through use of the technology, the physician could even drive the robot to the fourth floor of the hospital through use of a computer application and with someone's assistance in pushing the elevator button, provide a remote access patient consultation.
“The robotic telemedicine truly brings the technology to anywhere in the hospital, not simply in one fixed room,” said Kendrick.
Noser highlighted the symptoms that alert physicians to an impending stroke. Symptoms may include a severe headache with no known issues, numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, difficulty walking, loss of balance, trouble seeing out of one or both eyes or confusion or trouble speaking or understanding.
The standard advice to anyone experiencing these symptoms, or anyone witnessing these symptoms in another person, is to immediately call “911,” said Noser.
“Time lost is brain lost, and every second counts. The faster a patient can receive appropriate treatment, the greater the chance of recovery,” said Noser.
According to Noser, MHHS is the only stroke-certified hospital in the Sugar Land area.
“It is important to go to a stroke-certified facility because the staff is trained specifically in the quick diagnosis and care of stroke,” said Noser.
“If needed, our patients can be transferred by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann in the Texas Medical Center for more aggressive, cutting-edge therapies such as endovascular treatments and clinical research protocols,” said Noser.
Clot-busting stroke protocols continue to be used in the treatment of stroke, however, telemedicine, using robotic technology, has given MHHS physicians an additional tool in the treatment of strokes.
It will eventually enable patients who live far from major hospitals to be treated faster and receive the best care available, just as if they were in that major hospital, said Noser.
Noser’s hope is that this innovative robotic technology will allow stroke patients to receive clot-busting medication when they present to community or rural hospitals far outside of the walls of the Texas Medical Center.
“Further, we want these individuals to have the opportunity to be transferred and potentially receive endovascular therapies, if appropriate. This truly brings the highest level of stroke expertise to the community,” said Noser.
For more information, contact Memorial Hermann-Sugar Land, 17500 W. Grand Parkway South, at 281-725-5000.
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