Technology & TPA
May 20, 2001
Telemedicine is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, and one of the newest forms of this technology can be found in ambulances. Having diagnostic-quality video images, monitors, video cameras, and cell phones connected from the ambulance to the hospital may save many lives, especially those of stroke victims.
TPA is a medication used to treat certain stroke victims. In order for TPA to be effective, the drug must be administered within three hours of the onset of symptoms of having a stroke. Certain diagnostic tests can aid in determining whether a person is a candidate for TPA. Traditionally, such testing had to wait until the patient arrived at the hospital. However, as time is of the essence, some ambulances are now equipped with the technology needed to carry out these tests. With the advent of telemedicine, the emergency medical technician can perform the tests in route and digitally transmit the results to the hospital for an expedited evaluation.
While some doctors are hesitant to use the new technology, others believe that telemedicine is an excellent way to treat patients in rural areas and in those situations where every second counts. Stroke victims who do not receive TPA within the three-hour window often experience permanent brain damage; a situation that many doctors feel could be avoided through the use of telemedicine technology.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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