AN incredible 20,000 patients have received lifesaving stroke care over the past decade, thanks to the Victorian Stroke Telemedicine (VST) service, which has recently expanded to two new locations.
Run by Ambulance Victoria (AV) and operating across 20 regional hospitals throughout Victoria and Tasmania, VST allows clinicians to collaborate across organisational boundaries and provide time-critical care locally.
AV’s Gippsland Regional Director, Ross Salathiel said the service in Bairnsdale, Sale, Traralgon, Warragul and Wonthaggi plays a vital role in stroke treatment, with more than 700 consultations conducted since July, 2022.
“Many rural and regional hospitals do not have a stroke specialist on site or lack around-the-clock access to this type of expertise,” Mr Salathiel said.
“People in these areas are 19 per cent more likely to have a stroke and a poorer outcome, making VST a game-changer in the emergency care of patients.”
AV’s Director of Stroke Services, Professor Chris Bladin said every minute matters when suffering a stroke, which is why VST is crucial.
“The world-class service connects patients with expert doctors, who provide diagnosis and treatment, enabling them to receive the right care at the right time regardless of their location,” Prof Bladin said.
“With stroke telemedicine, patients are receiving clot-busting drugs an average of 40 minutes earlier and often within an hour of arriving at hospital.”
Retired Victorian resident Marina Dunn was enjoying a holiday in Tasmania when she experienced stroke symptoms on Good Friday earlier this year, which prompted her partner to take her to Launceston General Hospital.
Ms Dunn was immediately admitted to emergency where she underwent a VST consultation.
“I was amazed at the speed in which everything happened. They did it all there – they were fantastic,” she said.
Ms Dunn said she highly recommended the VST service as it allowed her to be moved to a general ward by the afternoon.
“I don’t know if all hospitals treat their patients with a stroke like that, but they acted quickly. I couldn’t have had any better care.”
When a suspected stroke case presents, the hospital contacts the 1300 number to speak directly with the on-call specialist. The specialist then has an audio-visual consultation with the patient, their family and treating clinicians via a secure video link.
VST operates in 18 regional Victorian hospitals and two sites in northern Tasmania.
The service became available at Albury Wodonga Health last month and will soon go live at Portland District Health.
VST is one of a range of health services Ambulance Victoria provides to the community as part of its ongoing commitment to world class research and best care for patients across the state.
