In a significant stride towards improving healthcare access, Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai have expanded their TeleStroke Program to Catalina Island. This initiative, launched in June 2024, marks a pivotal moment in providing enhanced acute stroke services to residents and the approximately 1 million annual visitors to the island.
Catalina Island, home to around 4,000 residents, faces unique challenges in healthcare delivery due to its remote location. The collaboration between Torrance Memorial, Cedars Sinai, and Catalina Island Health aims to streamline acute stroke services, ensuring timely and effective treatment for patients experiencing or at risk of stroke.
"Having the capability to provide hyper-acute treatments like clot-busting agents directly on Catalina Island can make a critical difference in patient outcomes," emphasized Dr. Shlee Song, Stroke Program director at Torrance Memorial and Cedars-Sinai. "Time is of the essence in stroke care, and our TeleStroke Program allows us to initiate life-saving treatments sooner, potentially preserving brain function and improving recovery."
Timing is Everything
The average patient loses about 1.9 million brain cells every minute a stroke is untreated. ER doctors need input from a neurologist with stroke expertise as soon as possible.
Nerve cells are the core components of the brain, spinal cord and central nervous system and the more that are lost, the greater the chance of slurred speech, paralysis and permanent disability. Earlier treatment results in a greater chance of recovery, a reduced likelihood of permanent disability and lesser need for extensive rehabilitation.
(Learn more by reading our blogs “How Do I Know If I'm Having a Stroke?” and “Reduce Your Risk of Stroke.”)
Torrance Memorial Foundation Steps Up
One of the pivotal tools purchased by the Torrance Memorial Foundation is the acquisition of a weighted slide board. The device enables healthcare providers on Catalina to accurately measure the weight of non-ambulatory patients, crucial for administering weight-based medications like clot-busting drugs promptly and accurately.
"The weighted slide board has been instrumental," noted Marco Pech, RN and Stroke Program Coordinator at Torrance Memorial. "It not only enhances the efficiency of patient care but also addresses a critical need in acute stroke management on Catalina Island."
The TeleStroke Program, initially launched in 2016, has steadily expanded its reach and capabilities. "We treat approximately 100 patients annually with clot-busting drugs and perform about 70-plus clot removal procedures each year," shared Dr. Song. "These interventions are pivotal in minimizing the devastating effects of stroke and improving patient outcomes."
Logistically, the collaboration involves close coordination between Catalina Island Health, local EMS agencies, and the stroke teams at Torrance Memorial and Cedars-Sinai. This partnership ensures that patients experiencing strokes on Catalina Island receive seamless, high-quality care from initial evaluation through to advanced treatment options.
Dr. Song, pictured on the monitor, practices treating a stroke patient remotely with other members of the care team. Photo courtesy Cedars-Sinai.
"We are excited about this new venture," added Dr. Song. "By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to set a new standard in stroke care accessibility and quality."
Laura Schenasi, executive vice president of the Torrance Memorial Foundation, has made several visits to Catalina Island, most recently to participate in a marathon, and believes the island plays an important role in the lives of those who live in the South Bay.
"This initiative reflects our commitment to serving communities beyond the mainland," she said.
The expansion of TeleStroke services to Catalina Island represents a significant step forward in regional healthcare collaboration. It underscores Torrance Memorial and Cedars-Sinai's dedication to advancing stroke care and ensuring that all patients, regardless of location, have access to timely and life-saving treatments.
