Telestroke

Hospitals in the TeleStroke program are equipped with special video technology that allows a stroke neurologist from one of Allina Health's certified Comprehensive Stroke Centers to examine a patient who's miles away. This partnership allows accurate and prompt diagnosis of stroke so that important treatment can begin as quickly as possible.  

With a stroke, every minute matters. A medicine called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can be lifesaving, preserving precious brain tissue and body function. But tPA is most effective when given within three hours of having a stroke, and administration of tPA can only be directed after a patient is examined by a qualified neurologist. With acute stroke expertise available "virtually" at the bedside, stroke patients don't lose precious time being transferred to another hospital before the administration of tPA or other critical therapy.

After tPA has been given, patients are often able to remain in their local hospital for follow up care. Sometimes patients need to be transferred to a hospital that can provide more intensive stroke care, such as interventional neuroradiology. Either way, they can count on neurology expertise being available on site or at one of the TeleStroke hubs.

Your provider will connect via video technology with an Allina Health neurology stroke expert who can examine the patient from afar and make decisions concerning treatment quickly.

Through TeleStroke and shared stroke protocols, our regional hospitals provide the same level of specialty care as that of Allina Health’s stroke centers of excellence. The program also provides protocols for rapidly transferring patients to Comprehensive Stroke Centers for definitive stroke care and rehabilitation.

TeleStroke is making a positive difference in stroke care in local communities. The addition of specialized stroke services helps hospitals improve patient outcomes, decrease patient disability related to stroke, and reduce costs, while keeping patients in the community. Providing expert stroke consults remotely allows prompt care close to home for patients.

TeleStroke is offered:

• Abbott Northwestern Hospital
• Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital – Miller, South Dakota
• Baldwin Area Medical Center – Baldwin, Wisconsin
• Buffalo Hospital – Buffalo, Minnesota
• Cambridge Medical Center – Cambridge, Minnesota
• Chaska/212 (Two Twelve Medical Center) – Chaska, Minnesota
• Cuyuna Regional Medical Center – Crosby, Minnesota
• Allina Health Faribault Medical Center – Faribault, Minnesota
• Ely Bloomenson – Ely, Minnesota
• Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center – Brainerd, Minnesota
• Welia Health (formerly FirstLight Health System) – Mora, Minnesota
• Glencoe Regional Health – Glencoe, Minnesota
• Granite Falls Municipal Hospital and Manor – Granite Falls, Minnesota
• Hayward Area Memorial Hospital – Hayward, Wisconsin
• Lake Region Healthcare – Fergus Falls, Minnesota
• Meeker Memorial Hospital – Litchfield, Minnesota
• Memorial Medical Center – Ashland, Wisconsin
• Milbank Area Hospital – Milbank, South Dakota
• MN Valley – Le Sueur, Minnesota
• New Ulm Medical Center – New Ulm, Minnesota
• Owatonna Hospital – Owatonna, Minnesota
• Redfield Community Hospital – Redfield, South Dakota
• Regina Hospital – Hastings, Minnesota
• Ridgeview Medical Center – Waconia, Minnesota 
• River Falls Area Hospital – River Falls, Wisconsin
• River's Edge Hospital & Clinic – St. Peter, Minnesota
• Riverwood Healthcare Center – Aitkin, Minnesota
• Sibley Medical Center – Arlington, Minnesota
• Sleepy Eye Medical Center – Sleepy Eye, Minnesota
• St. Francis Regional Medical Center – Shakopee, Minnesota
• St. Luke's – Aberdeen, South Dakota
• St. Luke's – Duluth, Minnesota
• St. Mary's – Pierre, South Dakota
• United Hospital District – Blue Earth, Minnesota
• United Hospital – St. Paul, Minnesota
• WestHealth – Plymouth,Minnesota