Temple Offering Stroke Telemedicine Services at Lower Bucks Hospital under New Agreement

Temple University Hospital and Lower Bucks Hospital have entered into a clinical partnership in which Temple neurologists will provide acute stroke telemedicine services to patients at Lower Bucks Hospital as of May 8. 

This partnership brings Temple's expertise in the neurosciences closer to home for residents in Philadelphia and Bucks counties. The agreement provides for on campus access at Lower Bucks Hospital to 24/7 telemedicine services by Temple neurologists for the purposes of diagnosing and treating acute stroke patients.

"Temple is pleased to be a part of this clinical partnership, which brings the expertise offered by the Temple Neurosciences Center and Temple's stroke program to patients at Lower Bucks Hospital," says Verdi J. DiSesa, MD, MBA, President and CEO of Temple University Hospital, Senior Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM) and Chief Operating Officer of Temple University Health System.

The Temple Neurosciences Center currently provides robust clinical services at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. Those services include neurosurgery for a broad range of conditions including benign and malignant brain tumors, vascular disorders of the brain, carotid artery disease, neck and lower back disorders, traumatic head and spine injury, and deep brain stimulation, as well as comprehensive care for the full range of neurological conditions with special expertise in stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and movement disorders. Temple neurologists and neurosurgeons also see patients at Jeanes Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia.

Lower Bucks Hospital, a member of the Prime Healthcare system, has served Bristol and surrounding communities in Bucks County and western parts of New Jersey for six decades. Prime owns 44 hospitals in 14 states, and is one of the fastest growing health systems in the country. "Being a TJC Primary Stroke Center means that Lower Bucks Hospital commits to the highest quality clinical program for patients with stroke," said hospital CEO, Linda J. Grass. "This partnership is good for both Lower Bucks Hospital and Temple, and it provides an excellent resource for the community when it is most urgently needed."

Being a Primary Stroke Center is only one way that Lower Bucks Hospital has emerged as a health care destination for the region since its affiliation with Prime Healthcare. The hospital is also accredited for interventional cardiac catheterization, is a Level 4 Trauma applicant, and recently launched a new neurosurgery service line. "Given the growth that Lower Bucks Hospital has generated in the last five years, collaborating with academic providers like Temple is the next natural frontier for us," said Grass.

As part of the agreement, patients who present at Lower Bucks Hospital's Emergency Department with symptoms of a stroke will be able to receive evaluation via telemedicine by a Temple neurologist, who can order the appropriate medications such as clot busters or interventions to address the symptoms rapidly. If appropriate, patients can be quickly transferred to Temple University Hospital via Temple Transport Team (T3) for more advanced interventional stroke care.

"Every second counts when a patient shows symptoms of a stroke. This agreement will improve community access to neurological care by allowing patients to be evaluated and, if necessary, receive high-quality specialty services in a timely manner," says Paul M. Katz, MD, Professor of Neurology at LKSOM and Director of the Stroke Program at Temple University Hospital

In 2016, Lower Bucks Hospital successfully reorganized its emergency department to enhance its clinical capabilities, patient experience and operating efficiencies. David Jaslow, MD, chair of emergency medicine and EMS director at LBH, will spearhead the relationship with Dr. Katz's team. "This is a great opportunity to provide state-of-the-art care," Dr. Jaslow said. "Everybody wins when you combine collaboration and technology."