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Queensland Telestroke Service is saving lives one video call at a time, recently providing life saving consultation to 37-year-old Mackay mum Angelica Murray.
Angelica suffered a stroke whilst out with a friend, and was rushed to Mackay Base Hospital. Within minutes of her arrival she was connected by video to a specialist stroke neurologist who prescribed life-saving medication.
“I was in the car with my friend and suddenly I couldn’t concentrate or remember names,” Angelica said.
As her condition deteriorated, her friend rushed her to hospital.
At the emergency department, staff immediately recognised the signs of a stroke.
“I remember all the nurses and doctors working together so quickly,” Angelica said.
“They were explaining everything, even the stroke doctor on the screen.”
From the advice of the Queensland Telestroke Service (QTS) neurologist, Angelica received the clot busting medication she needed. The speed of the service made a life changing difference.
“I started feeling better after a couple of hours,” Angelica said.
Mackay Base Hospital is now recording the fastest stroke treatment times in the state.
QTS is operating live across ten Queensland sites ( Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Ipswich, Makay, Toowoomba, Kingaroy, Rockhampton, Bowen, Proserpine, and Gladstone hospitals) with more than 850 patients being treated so far. 12 Queensland hospitals are planned to be added to the list.
The service aims to make sure that regional patients are receiving specialist stroke care just as efficiently as those in central areas.
Local Stroke Nurse Helen Nengasha, who has spent more than a decade caring for stroke patients, said seeing outcomes like Angelica's was exactly why the team has embraced Queensland Telestroke Service.
“The introduction of QTS has streamlined care for patients experiencing time-critical strokes,” Helen said.
“Now, it doesn’t matter where you live, you can get that expert care straight away.
“In one recent case, the team achieved treatment in just 42 minutes, well under the national 60-minute benchmark. That’s the fastest we’ve ever done.”
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