Gladys Dobbs is in “fabulous shape,” according to her doting
daughters, Jennie Stanfield and Pennie Tanner. Gladys’ good health
is remarkable, considering that she suffered a stroke at age 89. Thanks
to fast action by her family and Southeast Georgia Health System’s
new telestroke program, Gladys not only survived her stroke, she’s
thriving. “She’s back to being mama, going out to lunch and
shopping. As far as her mind goes, she keeps me and Pennie in check!”
says Jennie, laughing.
A partnership with Baptist Health Jacksonville and physicians in Florida
and Southeast Georgia, the telestroke program is designed to deliver 24/7
lifesaving care by ensuring that patients can be seen via videoconferencing
technology within minutes after arriving at the Health System.
The telestroke program was launched just three weeks before the day Gladys
exhibited stroke signs and was brought to the Health System’s Emergency
Care Center on the Brunswick Campus by ambulance. Her daughters followed
by car. “By the time we arrived, the emergency care team had already
evaluated her and were setting up the video teleconference call,”
Pennie recalls.
Via videoconference, which is similar to Skype, board-certified physician
Steven B. Dawson with Baptist Neurology Group in Valdosta, Ga., confirmed
Gladys’ stroke and determined she was a candidate for tPA, a clot-busting
stroke drug. “Her speech and facial elasticity improved almost immediately
after receiving tPA,” Jennie says. After a few days in the hospital,
Gladys returned home, fully recovered.
When it comes to stroke, time lost is brain lost. By giving patients 24/7
access to a neurologist, the telestroke program eliminates assessment
and treatment delays. Delayed treatment can cause memory and muscle control
disabilities. Gladys’ excellent outcome is due to her daughters
recognizing the stroke signs quickly and calling 9-1-1. As a result, Gladys
arrived at the Emergency Care Center within an hour and received tPA within
the recommended three hours of stroke onset.
Although Gladys’ daughters were concerned during their mother’s
health crisis, they knew she was in good hands. “The emergency care
team was absolutely wonderful. They kept us informed which put us at ease
and they gave mama every comfort she needed,” Jennie says. “Any
time mama has been to the Health System, they’ve treated her real
well. We’ve come to expect first-class care when we go there,”
Jennie says.