New communications technology is now being used at Firelands Regional Medical Center to provide even faster diagnosis and treatment options to people experiencing stroke.

Through a partnership with University of Toledo Medical College (UTMC), when you choose the Emergency Room at Firelands Regional Medical Center, a Primary Stroke Center, new TeleStroke technology allows the Firelands ER team to quickly connect to a specialized TeleStroke physician. Through secure, video conferencing technology, the TeleStroke physician is able to evaluate the patient’s motor skills, view their CT scan, make a diagnosis, and prescribe the appropriate treatment immediately. The patient and Firelands ER team can see and speak directly to the TeleStroke Physician.  

“Speed is of the essence when dealing with stroke. They say “Time is Brain”. Even minutes can make all the difference in the outcome,” shared Bill Turton, Director, Emergency Services at Firelands Regional Medical Center. “Firelands Regional Medical Center’s TeleStroke Technology Program gives patients and physicians on-demand access to stroke experts at UTMC. This saves time, helps to avoid delays in access to potentially life-saving therapies, and improves continuity of care if transfer to a higher level of care is needed.”

For more information about the Firelands TeleStroke Technology Program, visit firelands.com.

The Firelands Cholesterol Clinic is located at Firelands Main Campus, 1111 Hayes Avenue, Sandusky, and requires a physician referral. For general questions about the Firelands Cholesterol Clinic, call 419-557-6550 or visit firelands.com/heartt.

In response to the growing number of heart failure patients in the area, Firelands Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce the availability of a comprehensive Heart Failure Clinic.

Heart failure occurs when the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal. The Firelands Heart Failure Clinic staff work to reduce hospital re-admissions from heart failure and improve the patient’s quality of life. The clinic focuses on assessment and education of patients, along with adjusting doses of medications, as approved by the referring physician.

“Evidence has shown that outpatient heart failure clinics reduce morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs,” shares Jim Spicer, PharmD, CACP, Director of Pharmacy at Firelands Regional Medical Center. “The staff of the Firelands Heart Failure Clinic work together with healthcare providers to assure optimal management of their patients. Our goal is to empower and educate patients to help them and their physicians better manage their condition.”

The Firelands Heart Failure Clinic requires a physician referral. For general questions about the Firelands Heart Failure Clinic, call 419-557-6550 or visit firelands.com/heart.

Spine and vascular care at Firelands Regional Medical Center are in the top 5% in the nation according to a new report from Healthgrades, the leading provider of information to help consumers make an informed decision about a physician or hospital. Firelands was in the top 5% in the nation for spine (#1 in the State of Ohio) and vascular surgery outcomes (#4 in the State of Ohio), and in the top10% in the nation for overall orthopedic outcomes (#4 in the State of Ohio). The report, American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2013: Healthgrades Report to the Nation, evaluates how approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide performed on risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for nearly 30 of the most common conditions treated and procedures performed from 2009 through 2011. Full Release