The Telestroke Program at Aiken Regional

When a stroke happens, every minute matters, so an immediate exam by an expert neurologist is crucial. Now, more patients can have lifesaving access to neurologists through the use of Aiken Regional Medical Centers' Telestroke program. The Telestroke program uses secure, high-speed video links to provide emergency physicians at Aiken Regional with immediate, around-the-clock access to a board-certified neurologist at Medical University of South Carolina at any time of day or night.

The image sharing technology used by Telestroke allows emergency department physicians to instantly transmit a patient's blood test results, CT scans and medical history, allowing neurologists to make a diagnosis, just as if he or she were in the emergency room. That means that neurologists can examine patients, review test results and administer treatment, such as the clot busting medication tPA, immediately from their location just as if they were in the hospital.

Through Telestroke, patients at Aiken Regional Medical Centers can receive quick, highly specialized care that was previously available only at large stroke centers, something that gives everyone a better chance of surviving a stroke, no matter where they live.