Donation extends Mayo's telestroke prgram

The Mayo Clinic will expand its telestroke program, which provides remote evaluation and treatment of stroke, especially those in rural settings.

The expansion will include use of a "stroke robot" that allows a specialist to see a patient in real time, according to Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Mayo. Stroke neurologists can consult with emergency room physicians at the rural sites and evaluate the patient via internet-based telemedicine.

A donation from Wesley Remington of St. Joseph, Mo., funded the telestroke program ehancements. The Remington family is credited with setting in motion the processes required to start and sustain the telestroke program, according to Mayo. In addition to supporting the Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, half of the gift will go toward expanding and sustaining the Arizona telestroke network serving Parker, Ariz. and Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS).

To date, more than 500 emergency consultations for stroke between Mayo stroke neurologists and physicians at the 10 stroke centers have taken place.

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