UAB has launched its first tele-ICU unit at Whitfield Regional Hospital in Demopolis. Nurses and specialists can continuously monitor the vital signs of patients in the ICU about 100 miles away.
Charles Webb survived three strokes two years earlier and began struggling to breathe on June 14. His wife, Mary Webb, called the ambulance to their home in rural west Alabama.Instead of making the long drive to Birmingham or Tuscaloosa, the ambulance quickly arrived at Whitfield Regional Hospital in Demopolis.
A hybrid team of on-site doctors and remote specialists have been handling Webb’s care ever since. They removed the ventilator on Monday. Hs condition has improved, Mary Webb said. “Critical care pulmonologist and the nephrologist can look at these ICU patients literally around the clock,” Brewer said.
“When oxygen levels are dropping, when blood pressure levels are dropping, we can jump in the room on a camera and access their chart and help the nurses manage that patient and communicate what we are doing to the physicians on site,” Stigler said. Dereck Morrison, chief operating officer for Whitfield Regional Hospital, cited the case of a patient with a suspected stroke. Doctors in Demopolis and Birmingham worked together to diagnose dementia and a urinary tract infection that could be treated at Whitfield Regional Hospital.
Demopolis and Alabama have high rates of very sick patients who often need special care for kidney or health failure during medical emergencies. Brewer said rural hospitals must increase their capacity to care for people with diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other conditions that are common in the South.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The 100 Greatest Rap Albums of All Time (100-76): Staff ListYear: 2020 Lil Baby secured the solo spotlight with his sophomore album My Turn.
Read more »
'Stellar Dreams' project gifting 100 telescopes to 100 families (exclusive)Jeff Spry is an award-winning screenwriter and veteran freelance journalist covering TV, movies, video games, books, and comics. His work has appeared at SYFY Wire, Inverse, Collider, Bleeding Cool and elsewhere.
Read more »
Why is MLB Staging a Baseball Game in Birmingham, Alabama?The San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals are staging a game at Birmingham, Alabama's Rickwood Field, a historical Negro League ballpark, on Thursday.
Read more »
Willie Mays and beyond: Giants have deep connection to Alabama, BirminghamSan Francisco will face St. Louis Cardinals in MLB at Rickwood Field game on June 20
Read more »
Birmingham man wanted in 4 murders in Oklahoma, Alabama; manhunt underway in ArkansasStacy Lee Drake, 50, is sought on three homicides in Oklahoma and one in Alabama, authorities said Wednesday. Drake is from Birmingham, police said. Alabama court records described him as homeless and noted a previous Arizona residence.
Read more »
Election day in Birmingham: Polls open for primary to replace John Rogers in Alabama State HouseSix Democrats and one Republican are running for the seat John Rogers held for more than 40 years.
Read more »