Mavis Abbis is living proof that Port Macquarie Base Hospital's TeleStroke project works.
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The hospital is the test site for the project.
Mrs Abbis suffered a stroke on July 11 and her rapid recovery is down to the quick action of her husband Ron and the introduction of TeleStroke.
The project brings the expertise of a city neurologist to the regional area via telehealth, boosting the capacity of the local team and providing locals with access to best practice stroke treatment – much of it time-critical.
Patients have a brain scan onsite which is then assessed remotely by a neurologist via computer software. The specialist provides a diagnosis and treatment can begin immediately.
Previously patients may have needed to be transferred to larger hospitals, which could delay treatment for hours.
When a stroke strikes time is critical, up to 1.9 million brain cells are lost every minute treatment is delayed. The faster the treatment, the more the damage can be stopped and the better the chance of recovery.
That rapid response and treatment was vital in Mrs Abbis' recovery.
Mrs Abbis was sitting down to a cup of tea on July 11 when her husband Ron noticed the left side of her face was drooping.
"She also lost the ability talk and lost some coordination. And she couldn't let go of the cup of tea," he said.
"I thought that she was probably suffering a stroke, so I immediately dialed triple-0.
"The ambulance was there within 10 minutes and everyone at the hospital kicked into action."
Mrs Abbis underwent a scan and those details were relayed through the TeleStroke specialist.
"I was airlifted to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the clot was removed. I was back in the base hospital two days later to recuperate,” she said.
I couldn't have asked for any better treatment. It was marvellous, really.
- Mavis Abbis
"I couldn't have asked for any better treatment. It was marvellous, really.
"I am now slowly getting back to some strength and enjoy a walk outside or on a machine."
Port Macquarie Base Hospital stroke care coordinator Kim Parry said the care for stroke patients was now a more streamlined process.
"TeleStroke is a huge step forward," she said. "The treatment of stroke patients is about everybody working together and everybody stepping up to make the treatment happen seamlessly."
Since the project has been in place at the base hospital, the thrombolysis rate has increased (the administration of blood clot busting drugs), said Ms Parry.
There has also been an increase in the number of patients who have received endovascular thrombectomy (clot retrieval) after being transported, she said.
This innovative technology has broken down barriers to specialist treatments, saving lives.
Stroke Foundation New South Wales manager Teresa Howarth says almost 19,000 strokes are expected in NSW in 2018 alone and many of those will be in regional areas like Port Macquarie which have limited access to specialist physicians.
"Regional Australians are 19 percent more likely to suffer a stroke than their metropolitan counterparts," she said.
Regional Australians are 19 percent more likely to suffer a stroke than their metropolitan counterparts.
- Teresa Howarth
"The TeleStroke program is already making a difference to stroke services in the mid north region of NSW.
"It allows us to bridge the gap and deliver world class stroke assessment, treatment and management irrespective of location.
"All Australians should have access to best practise treatment and this is a major step in the right direction."
Being cared for by a specialised stroke team is one of the most effective ways of treating a person after stroke. This is at the heart of our efforts, Ms Howarth said.
Stroke Foundation figures show that in 2018 there will be more than 520 new and recurrent strokes with more than 2500 people living with the effects of stroke in the community.
More than 34,000 residents suffer from high blood pressure while a further 46,500 residents have high cholesterol. More than 79,000 residents are physically inactive while almost 4500 residents have atrial fibrillation.
National Stroke Week is from September 3 until 9, 2018. For information on FAST go to the Stroke Foundation website