New Technology Helps Improve Chances Of Surviving Stroke
DENVER (CBS4)- It's estimated 30,000 brain cells die every second during a stroke. That's up to 1.8 million per minute. Quick treatment is the key to minimizing damage.
HealthOne Hospitals are using new technology to improve the chances of surviving a stroke. The program is called Remote Presence Robotics. The telemedicine means quicker care from top stroke experts.
To cut the time from assessment to treatment, Sky Ridge Medical Center in Douglas County and other HealthOne emergency rooms can now bring top care to the bedside. 
The robotics put a stroke neurologist in the room with the patient and emergency room team.
The neurologist can talk with the patient, examine her movement and speech, even zoom in to see her pupils.
"I can be at home. I can be at another hospital. I can be at the side of the road and pull off to the side, hook into the cell phone network and evaluate patients through that," said neurologist Dr. Chris Fanale.
Fast treatment can give stroke patients a much better chance of having no disability. It could even mean the difference between life and death.
Symptoms of stroke should be thought of as FAST: Face, Arm, Speech and Time. Health experts advise those who may be having stroke symptoms to get medical help immediately.
