A Telestroke Program is now underway in The Pas.  The program provides specialized emergency care to stroke patients by allowing care providers to work directly with stroke specialists.  Northern Health Region Chief Executive Officer Helga Bryant says if emergency responders in Flin Flon determine a patient has stroke symptoms they will immediately contact The Pas. She explains they will bypass the Flin Flon ER because it’s imperative that they get them to a CT scanner.  She says the CT will be done immediately and while the CT is being done it is already being relayed to a neurologist radiologist in Winnipeg who will look at the image and they will also look at the patient from one of the rooms in The Pas ER that is equipped with a high resolution camera.

  This means the specialists can work with the local provider to determine if a stroke has occurred and the most appropriate treatment options.