Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center in Rome, Georgia is utilizing new technology to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of stroke patients. The hospital is using RapidAI, a patient-centered technology that can help reduce the time it takes to receive treatment and improve outcomes for stroke patients. Additionally, the hospital is using CT perfusion, an imaging tool that can determine if the patient has a blockage and how much brain tissue in the area is salvageable. Both RapidAI and CT perfusion have been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration and allow for quicker and more accurate results.
The technology is available at Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center and Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center, and will soon be included at the stand-alone emergency department in Chattooga County. This allows for improved collaboration between facilities and faster communication of results. The hospital is a Certified Primary Stroke Center and is able to begin treating people experiencing a stroke within an hour of their arrival, increasing the opportunity for recovery and survival.
According to Bre Merrell, stroke coordinator of the hospital’s Stroke Center of Excellence, time is vital when it comes to stroke treatment, and the quicker strokes can be diagnosed and treated, the better it is for the patient. Ches Ely, director of Imaging Services for Atrium Health Floyd, described RapidAI and CT perfusion as a game changer, allowing for improved patient outcomes and faster communication between the stroke care team.
This advancement in technology highlights the importance of using innovative tools to improve the diagnosis and treatment of strokes. By utilizing these technologies, hospitals can save valuable time, preserve brain cells, and increase the chances of recovery for stroke patients.