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Stroke Center of Economic Excellence
University collaborators: Medical University of South Carolina (fiscal agent) University of South Carolina (collaborative partner) About the CoEE: This collaborative effort enhances the research programs of MUSC, USC, Greenville Health Systems, and the Greenwood Genetics Center, and strengthens clinical and basic stroke research in South Carolina. Reducing the incidence of stroke and the provision of acute stroke care are goals of this CoEE. With three endowed chair positions, this CoEE will increase translational stroke research and stimulate the development of new therapeutics, emphasizing drug discovery and biotechnology.
In May 2008, this CoEE implemented the REACH (Remote Evaluation of Acute Ischemic Stroke) Network. The network provides around-the-clock, Internet-based stroke consultation for patients within the first three hours of a stroke occurrence. Both
MUSC and USC serve as hubs for this network, with “virtual spokes”
reaching out to community hospitals throughout the state. Six
community hospitals have already connected to this network,
including McLeod Health (Florence), with five other hospitals
considering connection. Doctors at MUSC treat stroke victims at
community hospitals remotely with t-PA (Tissue Plasminogen
Activator) thrombolytic therapy through telemedicine. Because of the REACH Network, from May 2008 through June 2009, twice the number of stroke patients at REACH spoke clinics and hospitals were treated with t-PA therapy than were treated in the full previous year. The average telemedicine consult is only 11 minutes. With the activation of the REACH network, 56% of the South Carolina population is now within a 60‐minute drive of tPA treatment compared with only 39% prior to REACH utilization. In the near future, the CoEE plans to extend the REACH Network to seven counties, with a coverage of almost 1,000 beds and 200,000 emergency room visits per year. To date, the CoEE has received more than $1.3 million in federal and private research funding. Funding level: CoEE endowed chairs:
Drs. Marc Chimowitz (L) and Robert Adams (R), stroke experts and CoEE endowed chair holders, examine brain scans using telemedicine methods.
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