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Stroke Center of Economic Excellence
University collaborators: Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) (fiscal agent) University of South Carolina (USC) (collaborative partner) About the Center: The goals of the Stroke Center are to reduce the incidence of stroke and improve the provision of acute stroke care. This collaborative effort enhances the research programs of MUSC, USC, Greenville Health System, and the Greenwood Genetics Center, and strengthens clinical and basic stroke research in South Carolina. With three endowed chair positions, the Center is increasing translational stroke research and stimulating the development of new therapeutics, emphasizing drug discovery and biotechnology.
In May 2008, the Center 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 the REACH Stroke Network, reaching out to community hospitals throughout the state. Six
community hospitals have already connected to the network,
including McLeod Health (Florence), with five other hospitals
considering connection. MUSC neurologists treat stroke victims at
community hospitals remotely with t-PA (Tissue Plasminogen
Activator) thrombolytic therapy through telemedicine. To date, the REACH Stroke Network has performed 125 t-PA telemedicine treatments. The average telemedicine consult is only 11 minutes. With the activation of the REACH Stroke Network, 56 percent of the South Carolina population is now within a 60-minute drive of tPA treatment compared with only 39 percent prior to REACH utilization. In the near future, the Center 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 Center has received more than $1.3 million in federal and private research funding. Funding level: SmartState Endowed Chairs:
Drs. Marc Chimowitz (L) and Robert Adams (R), stroke experts and SmartState endowed chair holders, examine brain scans using telemedicine methods.
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