A new development in the field of stroke care from Visionable has the potential to significantly impact patient outcomes and treatment pathways at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
The Visionable telehealth solution is currently being piloted at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to help cut the time it takes to diagnose and therefore treat people suspected of having a stroke.
Stroke clinicians and paramedics are able to use the technology to carry out of consultation via secure video conference and determine the best course of action for each patient before they arrive at hospital. It allows suspected stroke patients to bypass accident and emergency and be met by the stroke team on arrive at the hospital.
This approach is helping to tackle geographical differences in stroke care, ensuring patients in remote areas have the same access to high quality care.
Dr Shakeel Ahmad, NHS Wales’ national clinical lead for stroke, said: “Our aim is to have a structured pre-hospital assessment so patients are put on the correct pathway in order to quickly access life-changing treatments such as thrombolysis and thrombectomy.
“We hope the project will demonstrate a reduction in stroke mimics coming into hospital, which will reduce the burden on the emergency department. Our vision is to digitally connect the entire stroke pathway and this is the first step in our journey.”
The Visionable platform includes secure video conferencing and real-time data analytics and was first announced in the summer. The telehealth solution will allow healthcare professionals to make informed decisions quickly – vital for stroke patients, who will have better health outcomes the quicker they receive a diagnosis and treatment.
The rollout of the technology is part of NHS Wales’ commitment to enhancing care and improving patient outcomes through timely and effective care.