By Naeisha Rose
NewYork-Presbyterian is expanding its mobile stroke treatment units to Queens and Brooklyn.
The hospital is teaming up with Weill Cornell Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the New York Fire Department to expand its fleet of MSTU’s to the two boroughs, making NewYork-Presbyterian the first health system in the country to operate three units.
MSTU’s are emergency vehicles equipped to provide immediate, specialized care to patients who may be experiencing a stroke. The unit uses advanced telemedicine technology, allowing neurologists from NewYork-Presbyterian’s hospital locations to be consulted remotely and at a moment’s notice.
Dr. Steven J. Corwin, president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian, thanked donors for their contributions to extend the program.
“We are extremely grateful to our donors for their support in helping us provide life-saving stroke treatment with significantly reduced treatment times to the communities of Queens and Brooklyn,” he said.
Every year, 795,000 people in the United States suffer from a blockage in an artery of the brain, depriving it of blood flow and oxygen, which, over the course of minutes, can lead to disability or death. Stroke is one of the most widespread and debilitating conditions and a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the nation.
NewYork-Presbyterian launched the first MTSU on the East Coast in October 2016. The fleet served the communities surrounding NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in Manhattan. On April 30, FDNY began deploying a unit in the community surrounding NewYork-Presbyterian Queens and beginning May 28, it will deploy a unit in the community surrounding New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.
Dr. Matthew E. Fink oversees the MSTU program and is also neurologist-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. He said the extension of the MTSU is a game changer in advanced stroke care.
“Response time is a critical factor in stroke recovery and the Mobile Stroke Treatment Units now have the capacity to help even more patients,” he said. “We are bringing the emergency room directly to a patient suffering a stroke.”
Fire Commissioner DanielNigro said FDNY Paramedics, EMTs and firefighters will work closely with MTSU units to continue critical pre-hospital care, which could potentially save more lives.
During its first year of service the Manhattan MSTU was deployed 454 times and transported 88 patients. Since the launch, the MSTU has been able to treat stroke victims approximately 40 minutes faster than a standard ambulance transport, according to NewYork-Presbyterian.
Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmart
