Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States experiences a stroke. A stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts. When this occurs, the brain cells in the affected area start to die. Every minute a stroke goes untreated, roughly 1.90 million brain cells die. With time being of the essence, recognition of possible signs and symptoms of stroke is key to activating the chain of survival and seeking treatment. Remember the acronym BEFAST when considering possible stroke symptoms:
B: Balance Dizziness
E: Eyes Vision Changes
F: Face Drooping
A: Arm or Leg Weakness
S: Slurred or Difficult Speech
T: Time to Dial 9-1-1
Logan Health Medical Center (LHMC) in Kalispell holds Advanced Certification as a Primary Stroke Center. The Stroke Program at LHMC strives to improve the health, comfort and life of their patients and community by being the leader in the provision of high-quality, evidence-based treatment of stroke. As a part of their dedication to stroke patients across Montana, Logan Health established a neuro-hospitalist group that provides 24/7 neurological coverage on-site and Telestroke support to critical access hospitals.
In rural areas, where specialized medical expertise can be scarce, the challenges of timely stroke treatment are even more pronounced. Logan Health’s Telestroke program works with critical access hospitals in Libby, Whitefish, Plains, Ronan, Cut Bank, Shelby, Conrad, Chester, Havre, Lewistown and Glasgow to ensure that high quality stroke care can be readily accessible even in the more rural regions. The program, which was started 15 years ago as a way to overcome Montana’s geographical barriers, operates on the principle of connectivity and collaboration with their rural partners.
Using HIPAA-compliant and secure video, the neurologists at Logan Health Medical Center can virtually examine a suspected stroke patient and make recommendations about the best course of treatment with their on-site care team.
“Telestroke has been a game-changer for stroke care in our state,” says Christina Armstrong, stroke program coordinator at Logan Health. “By leveraging technology to bring expert neurological care to rural areas, we’re ensuring that patients across Montana have timely access to life-saving treatments. This program is not just about bridging geographical gaps; it’s about saving lives and preserving the health and well-being of our communities.”