CCH partners with WMC for TeleStroke

GILLETTE, WY – Campbell County Health (CCH) is proud to announce its partnership with Wyoming Medical Center (WMC) to bring TeleStroke Wyoming to Campbell County Memorial Hospital (CCMH). TeleStroke connects the Emergency Department physicians in Gillette with the WMC neurologists in Casper to collaboratively devise the best treatment plans for stroke patients in real time.

TeleStroke is the inaugural program of TeleMed Wyoming, WMC’s state-of-the-art telehealth system connecting Wyoming hospitals, physicians and patients with the widest network of medical specialties in the state, from the convenience of their local hospital.

“TeleStroke Wyoming allows WMC neurologists to actively participate in patient care and decision making from the moment the patient arrives at CCMH,” says Dr. Tyler Dickey, board certified Emergency Medicine physician. “We know that life-saving stroke care is measured in minutes. That means the faster the blood flow is restored, the better the chance for a patient’s survival and recovery. We are very pleased to work with WMC to bring high quality care to our patients.”

While studies show that treatment times decrease and treatment choices improve when a neurologist is involved early in the care of a stroke patient, few Wyoming hospitals have 24-hour neurology coverage.

“Having neurologists involved early increases the likelihood that patients will get the appropriate diagnosis and treatment quickly, and that’s the metric of excellence in stroke care,” said neurologist David Wheeler, MD, PhD, FAAN, medical director of WMC’s Primary Stroke Center. “We’re bringing up the quality of care in these other facilities, and I see that as the most important thing: Making cutting-edge stroke care available for every citizen of Wyoming.”

Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. One in every three strokes occurs in people younger than 65 years old. Advancements in stroke care over the last several years have vastly improved patient outcomes, but that treatment must be started quickly.

Wyoming Medical Center is a regional trauma and referral center, and serves more than 11 Wyoming counties with more than 250,000 people. WMC’s Primary Stroke Center is Wyoming’s only center certified by the Joint Commission. Learn more at www.wyomingmedicalcenter.org.