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Lake Charles Telestroke Program

Telestroke machine24-Hour Access to Stroke Experts

Memorial has earned The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification. This demonstrates the hospital’s compliance with stroke-related standards. In addition, we have partnered with Tulane Medical Center, which is part of the Louisiana Emergency Response Network (LERN) Level III Stroke Program, to create a trusted Telestroke Program. The program is a form of telemedicine that provides Memorial patients with enhanced in-house stroke care and 24-hour access to Tulane Medical Center’s specialized stroke experts.

The collaboration brings together innovative TeleStroke equipment, the Memorial emergency team, and specialized care from Tulane’s Joint Commission-certified comprehensive stroke center to evaluate, consult, diagnose, treat, or transfer the patient to the appropriate stroke care facility.

Using TeleStroke system carts and a two-way live video, audio and image sharing system, consulting stroke neurologist and neurosurgeons from Tulane Medical Center can evaluate a patient in real time to determine the best course of action.

How TeleStroke works

  • Step 1: EMS personnel begin assessing the stroke patient during the trip to the hospital.
  • Step 2: After the patient arrives at the emergency department, ER personnel quickly perform diagnostic tests and an initial assessment.
  • Step 3: The ER physician or Tulane Medical Center neurologist (who has received a call from the emergency department) initiates a secure video conference using computer monitors located in both the emergency department and at Tulane Medical Center.
  • Step 4: A Tulane Medical Center neurologist or neurosurgeon conducts a virtual, real-time neurological exam in collaboration with the ER physician and Memorial's neuro specialists. Via video, the stroke expert can communicate with the patient and ER physician. As part of the consultation brain images (CT Scans) are also reviewed to ensure excellent care.
  • Step 5: Together the ER physician and Tulane Medical Center decide on the best treatment. If appropriate, the ER physician administers a clot-busting drug. Patients often remain in their local hospitals. In some cases, patients are transferred to a specialized care center, such as Tulane Medical Center.