Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory is the latest hospital to become a member of the Wake Forest Baptist Telestroke Network.
The addition of Frye Regional, a 355-bed acute-care facility, brings to 11 the number of North Carolina hospitals participating in the system, which is part of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
The Telestroke Network provides regional and community hospitals 24-hour access to Wake Forest Baptist stroke experts through telemedicine robots that have real-time video teleconferencing and image-sharing capabilities.
“Speed is of the essence when dealing with acute stroke. Even minutes can make all the difference in the outcome,” said Charles Tegeler, M.D., professor of neurology at Wake Forest Baptist and director of the Telestroke Network. “This system saves precious time and helps to avoid delays in access to potentially life-saving therapies.”
The other members of the Telestroke Network, which was established in November 2009, are Wake Forest Baptist Health—Lexington Medical Center, Wake Forest Baptist Health—Davie Medical Center, Alleghany Memorial Hospital in Sparta, Caldwell Memorial Hospital in Lenoir, Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, Granville Health System in Oxford (in partnership with WakeMed Health & Hospitals), Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in Mooresville and Wilkes Regional Medical Center in North Wilkesboro.
Media Relations
Mac Ingraham: mingraha@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-3487
Shannon Putnam: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587