Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Pembroke Regional Hospital Named New Host Site For Telethrombosis Clinic
PEMBROKE – Telemedicine is once again bringing care closer to home for patients in our region with the launch of a new Telethrombosis clinic at the Pembroke Regional Hospital.
The clinic is part of The Ottawa Hospital Thrombosis Program which treats people diagnosed with blood clots. The program was recently expanded by the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and locally is expected to benefit approximately 50 patients annually.
Patients with suspected blood clots are first identified in the Emergency Department or physician’s office, then if they do not require admission, they are referred to The Ottawa Hospital Telethrombosis Clinic and are seen the next business day via Telemedicine in a clinic at PRH.
Elaine Elliott, Ambulatory Clinics Manager at Pembroke Regional Hospital said through the use of Telemedicine, the patient is seen by a physician specializing in Thrombosis management with the appointment covering medication and symptom management, health teaching and risk management.
A nurse who is with the patient at PRH provides support in terms of the physical assessment and patient education.
Any recommendations from the clinic are then sent to the family physician for followup.
Telethrombosis clinics have been launched at PRH as well as at the Montfort Hospital. Additional clinics are planned for Hawkesbury and Cornwall.
Each year in the Champlain region, 10,000 individuals have suspected blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Of those, 2,000 are confirmed. Patients are usually prescribed blood thinners, known as anticoagulation medications, for lengthy periods of time.
The expanded program is expected to reduce hospital admissions by safely managing patients recovering from blood clots in outpatient clinics and in some cases, at home through telephone support.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Carolyn Levesque, Public Affairs and Communications Coordinator
(613) 732-3675, ext. 6165 / carolyn.levesque@pemreghos.org
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