Telemedicine
In Northwestern Ontario (NWO), telemedicine is supported by the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) and Keewaytinook Okimakanak Telemedicine (KOTM). Currently throughout NWO, telemedicine systems are located in every hospital and many other health care locations.
The use of telemedicine technology allows health care professionals to conduct clinical consultations, or participate in distance education and meetings. For further information go to https://otn.ca/our-partners/
Clinical
Ontario Telestroke Program
Telestroke, an emergency telemedicine application, provides emergency physicians with immediate access to an Ontario neurologist with expertise in stroke care who can support both the assessment and treatment of patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke symptoms. Through Telestroke, patients can access the benefit of treatment with thrombolysis (tPA), a best practice standard of care for acute ischemic stroke.
Northwestern Ontario Telestroke Sites
| City | Healthcare Facility | Website | Contact # |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dryden | Dryden Regional Health Centre | www.drhc.on.ca | 807-223-8200 |
| Fort Frances | La Verendrye General Hospital | www.riversidehealthcare.ca | 807-274-3266 |
| Kenora | Lake of the Woods District Hospital | www.lwdh.on.ca | 807-468-9861 |
| Sioux Lookout | Meno Ya Win Health Centre | www.slmhc.on.ca | 807-737-3030 |
Stroke Prevention
Follow-up appointments can be arranged by videoconference with the Stroke Prevention Neurologists, Nurse Practitioner, and Registered Dietitian.
Telerehabilitation
Follow-up appointments can be delivered using telemedicine by stroke rehabilitation staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Thunder Bay. Stroke Rehabilitation staff can include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech language pathology and social work.
Moving on After Stroke
A 9-week, 18 session self-management, exercise and support program for people with stroke and their family members is offered throughout NWO via videoconferencing. For information or to enroll, contact Denise: (807) 343- 2431, ext. 2562.
Educational
Education events provided locally, regionally, provincially and nationally are often offered through videoconferencing, audioconferencing, webinars, live and/or archive webcast. Through technology, opportunities to participate in stroke education are greatly enhanced.
Provincial Stroke Rounds, a CME accredited stroke education event coordinated by the Ontario Regional Education Group is offered six times per year via telemedicine. This well attended event is offered throughout Ontario on a variety of topics across the stroke continuum of care.
Administrative
In order to facilitate engagement of our regional partners, most Stroke Network meetings are offered via videoconference and/or teleconference. Members are able to participate from their own community, minimizing the time and financial impact of participating on committees.