New York State based UHS Wilson Medical Center specializes in rapid diagnosis and sophisticated treatment of stroke. State-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and an innovative new mobile app is saving crucial time for patients and improving stroke outcomes.
The greater Binghamton area has seen a steady loss of manufacturing jobs over the past two decades, leading to an above-average number of elderly. That and the region’s obesity rate puts it at higher than average risk for stroke.
A dedicated stroke center since 2005, UHS Wilson Medical provides a level of care unusual for a regional hospital – which serves around 300,000 people – handling some 450 stroke cases a year for the greater Binghamton NY region. It is currently undergoing certification to qualify as a comprehensive stroke center.
Patients who arrive at the emergency room with stroke-indicative symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or numbness, are seen quickly at UHS Medical. A neuroradiologist is on hand around the clock to view computed tomography (CT) images.
The syngo®.via WebViewer1 lets Dr. Varun Reddy use his tablet to give helpful input on treatment decisions from wherever he is, whether in another part of the hospital or at home. This takes ten to 20 minutes2 off the time needed to get help for a potential stroke victim, when every second counts.
Dr. Yahia Lodi, Medical Director of the UHS stroke program, illustrates how different types of strokes occur, from a mini-stroke that takes place when a weakened blood vessel ruptures, to an ischemic stroke caused by a clot that blocks blood supply to the brain. A SOMATOM® Definition Flash CT scanner allows doctors rapidly to pinpoint the type of stroke the patient is suffering.
Dr. Sundar Jayaraman, an attending neuroradiologist and Chairman of the UHS radiology department, can follow life-saving procedures taking place in the bi-plane angio suite via his workstation.
Advanced 3D imaging in the angio suite lets doctors see blood vessels in the brain, so they can carry out sophisticated procedures such as intra-arterial tPA, where a catheter is guided into a blocked blood vessel to directly administer the clot-busting drug tPA.
About the Author
Mary Lisbeth D’Amico is a freelance technology and business writer and content strategist, who specializes in technology innovation, digital marketing, social media, ad tech, venture capital, and sharing economy. She has contributed to publications including The Wall Street Journal, Business Week and Red Herring, as well as to occasional corporate publications.
