When medical staff are dealing with strokes, timing is everything. Every precious minute that goes by is more neurons lost in the patient and a greater possibility of disability or death.
Indiana University Health’s brand new mobile stroke treatment unit will finally be able to bring robust care to stroke patients where they are, drastically cutting response times and potentially saving many more lives in the process.
Unveiled in late March, the unit comes stocked with everything necessary to help patients: Toward the front of the unit is a miniaturized CT scanner for head and neck treatment; in the back, a four-camera setup that allows doctors to remotely see what’s happening with the patient on board and offer instruction over video call; and all the necessary medicines the EMTs might need to use.
Photo: Digital 1229
Of course, resources like that don’t come easily. Judi Ayres, the director of IU Health Academic Health Center Stroke Programs, told Digital 1229 that the unit cost upwards of a million dollars and about three years to obtain.
Ayres took us on a tour of the new unit and showed off some of its capabilities in the video above.
There are only 10 to 15 other units like the one at IU Health throughout the country.
The new mobile unit is expected to hit the streets of Indianapolis within the next couple of weeks.
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