MCG HEALTH SYSTEM REACHES INTO RURAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH INNOVATIVE STROKE PROGRAM

Augusta, Ga. -- The clock starts. Three hours to countdown.

When someone has a stroke, precious time for treatment begins to tick away. Only a three-hour window exists during which medical professionals can administer tPA, the clot-busting drug used to mitigate the possible debilitating effects of a stroke.

In particular, rural communities have struggled with finding a solution to this timely problem. Now, through the innovative use of existing technology, MCG Health System is assisting in providing stroke care to rural hospitals 24/7.

MCG Health System launched the REACH program (Remote Evaluation of Acute IsCHemic Stroke) in early 2003. The program allows MCG neurologists to provide expert stroke consultations to multiple rural hospitals without actually being on-site. Through an inexpensive network cam and computer workstation located at the participating hospital, MCG neurologists can view patients via a video feed on a secure website. This allows them to evaluate physical signs and symptoms, receive patient information such as vitals and CT scans, and perform a neurological exam. The system even keeps track of the time remaining in the three-hour tPA window.

"What's unique about the REACH system is its low cost and portability," said Dr. David Hess, Chief of Neurology at MCG Health System and a stroke specialist. "Telemedicine has been around for years, but it is very expensive and involves enough equipment to fill a small room. The REACH system is contained in a single stroke cart, which includes the workstation and network cam. It's a simple, yet ingenious solution that will help save lives."

The pilot project currently partners MCG with McDuffie Regional Hospital in Thomson, Ga., as well as Emanuel County Hospital in Swainsboro, Ga., but MCG hopes to develop a rural network of stroke care and expand the program in the near future.

"According to the latest numbers distributed by the Centers for Disease Control," said Dr. Hess, "Georgia remains a part of the so-called 'stroke belt' that stretches across the Southeast. Through REACH, we hope to reduce those numbers and improve the lives of all Georgians affected by stroke."

MCG was recently named the top performer among 35 academic medical centers nationwide by the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) for stroke care. UHC is an alliance of the clinical enterprises of 87 academic health centers.

For a slide presentation on the REACH program, log on to https://www.reachmcg.com/demo.swf.

MCG Health System is composed of MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Hospitals and Clinics, Children's Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by offering the highest level of primary and specialty health care.

Note to editors: May is National Stroke Awareness Month.