HCA Midwest Health, the Kansas City region’s leading healthcare and stroke care provider, today announced expansion of its acclaimed TeleStroke Network.  Patients and caregivers at Coffey County Health System in Burlington, Kansas; Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia, Missouri; and Excelsior Springs Hospital in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, now have 24-hour, on-call access to award-winning, leading stroke and neuroscience experts through TeleStroke at three HCA Midwest Health partner hospitals, including Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center and Research Medical Center. As Certified Primary Stroke Centers, as designated by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, these hospitals have specialized resources including board-certified expert neurologists, neuroradiologists and surgeons and are dedicated to best practices that deliver the highest quality and timely stroke care treatment.

“Using the TeleStroke system, physicians at the three hospitals can communicate via a two-way live video, audio and image sharing system—with stroke neurologists and other stroke experts from their respective HCA Midwest Health partner hospital, paving the way for life-saving care to our important community partners,” says M.L. Lagarde III, president of HCA Midwest Health.  “With these new partnerships, our valued neurologists can evaluate a patient in real time to diagnose a stroke and work with local physicians to determine the best treatment options.”

According to the American Stroke Association, approximately 795,000 strokes occur in the United States each year. Stroke is the country’s fifth-leading cause of death and its leading cause of adult disability. These numbers have decreased in recent years because of greater patient awareness of stroke symptoms and improved access to stroke care and experts through programs like telemedicine.

Overland Park Regional Medical Center/Coffey County Health System

A Level II Trauma Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Achievement Measures and Stroke Quality Measures for two or more consecutive years, signifying its commitment improve the quality of patient care and outcomes.

“Overland Park Regional Medical Center is proud to deliver world-class technology and neurological resources through the TeleStroke Network to Coffee County Health System patients,” says Overland Park Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Matt Sogard, FACHE. “Time is critical in a stroke situation and this partnership will help significantly improve patient outcomes.”

“We are thrilled to align with Overland Park Regional Medical Center to bring acclaimed stroke care closer to home for our community,” says Leonard Hernandez, Coffey County Health System chief executive officer. “The TeleStroke Network provides on-demand access to stroke experts within minutes of a patient entering our emergency room, thus reducing time before treatment is initiated. It’s part of our hospital’s mission to effectively address our community’s healthcare needs.” 

Centerpoint Medical Center/Excelsior Springs Hospital

Centerpoint Medical Center has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Achievement Measures and Stroke Quality Measures for two or more consecutive years, signifying its commitment improve the quality of patient care and outcomes. A Level II Trauma Center, Centerpoint Medical Center is also recognized as a State of Missouri Level II Time Critical Diagnosis Stroke Center, providing definitive care to high volumes of stroke patients within the region.

“This is special to me as my roots are in northern rural Missouri,” says Centerpoint Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Bret Kolman. “We are passionately committed to enhancing healthcare in rural communities, striving to keep patients close to home whenever possible. The agreement further strengthens our relationship with our neighboring communities and I believe it is comforting for patients, family and staff to know specialized care is available at Centerpoint Medical Center, when necessary.”

“The Excelsior Springs Hospital Center Team looks forward to working with Centerpoint Medical Center’s stroke and neuroscience teams to assist our emergency room providers in evaluating patients that may be having a stroke,” says Kristen DeHart, Excelsior Springs Hospital chief executive officer. “The technology and expertise provided by the HCA Midwest Health’s TeleStroke Network will help our patients receive care much faster and ensure they have a seamless transfer for they have a seamless transfer for high-acuity stroke and brain injury care for a stroke or other brain injury.”

Research Medical Center/Bothwell Regional Health Center

Research Medical Center is home to the Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center designation and was the first Certified Primary Stroke Center in the region. It has received Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke recognition from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for five straight years, recognizing the hospital’s commitment and success in meeting a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations. A Level 1 Trauma Center, Research Medical Center has achieved the State of Missouri’s Level I Time Critical Diagnosis Stroke Center, providing definitive care to high volumes of stroke patients within the region. In 2017, Research Medical Center was awarded Advanced Certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers, the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval®.

“It takes an accomplished team of professionals working together to ensure that more people not just survive a stroke, but recover with as few lasting complications as possible,” says Research Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Jackie DeSouza-Van Blaricum. “Every second counts when it comes to a stroke and Research Medical Center is proud to deliver world-class technology and neurological resources through the TeleStroke Network to Bothwell Regional Health Center and its patients. It’s an important partnership that overcomes geographic and transportation barriers with reliable technology.” 

“This collaboration with the medical staff at Research Medical Center will help save lives and preserve brain function, crucial when someone suffers a stroke,” says Jimmy Robertson, Bothwell Regional Health Center chief executive officer. “The TeleStroke Network will allow us to better serve our community and aligns with our commitment to provide high-quality, compassionate healthcare to patients, close to home.” 

For more information about HCA Midwest Health’s family of hospitals and robust services, including neurosciences and stroke care, visit https://hcamidwest.com.