UAB Tele-Stroke Capabilities Gives Atmore Community Hospital (ACH) Patient and Local Citizen, Rob Faircloth Peace of MindUAB Tele-Stroke Capabilities Gives Atmore Community Hospital (ACH) Patient and Local Citizen, Rob Faircloth Peace of Mind

Escambia County (AL) -UAB Tele-Stroke Capabilities Gives Atmore Community Hospital (ACH) Patient and Local Citizen, Rob Faircloth Peace of Mind

After having some mental confusion and what he thought were stroke-like symptoms at home, Rob Faircloth was brought to the ACH emergency room where he was treated for a possible stroke. The good news is he was OK, but he wants all future potential ER patients to know that the UAB Tele-Stroke system provided an added level of comfort to his recent ACH patient experience.

"My wife brought me up to the hospital, we came right in and within only a few minutes the neurological specialist physician with UAB came on the screen via teleconference," stated Faircloth. "We had a good back and forth dialogue and he asked me all the questions he needed to ask and asked the ER doctor what had he had observed in his evaluation. I felt really comfortable about the process."

Faircloth went on to say that after the UAB consult, the ER doctor admitted him overnight for observation. The hospital staff monitored him throughout the night. He said he was able to rest and the next morning was discharged and went home. He is now working with his local primary care physician on his continuing treatment plan.

"The UAB eMedicine Tele-Stroke coverage will allow for any patient presenting to the hospital ER with stroke symptoms to have as part of their care team, within 10 minutes of arrival, a neurological specialist physician from UAB Hospital via telemedicine," stated Brad Lowery, ACH Administrator. "The specialist will work directly with ACH ER physicians to determine the best care needed for each patient."

According to hospital officials, a large number of patients presenting with stroke symptoms end up not needing to be transferred to another hospital. Having this specialist consult available to patients and ER physicians will allow for a much better decision-making process regarding the need to transfer the patient or treat them locally.

"Normally you would expect to get shipped somewhere but that wasn't the case, we were able to stay here at home," stated Faircloth. "If I get shipped out, it's like I have to start back in line at the next hospital and start all over. We are Atmore, I'm comfortable with the nurses and the doctors and ACH is the closest place to go for your healthcare. I've never had a bad experience at ACH. Don't be hesitant. Think when you have medical problems, go to the first place you can get some help and that is ACH in Atmore."

"Our goal is that more of our patients (our fellow citizens) will be able to stay at home for their care following their ER visit," stated Jeff Booth, Escambia County Health Care Authority CEO. "We are working with UAB for neurology, ICU and nephrology. We are also working on additional services that we will hopefully be able to announce very soon."