Net Medical Xpress launches neurological telemedicine program

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Net Medical Xpress announced Monday that it has launched a comprehensive neurological telemedicine program at Alta Vista Regional Hospital in Las Vegas, N.M.

Alta Vista Regional Hospital is a 54-bed acute care facility that serves the communities of Montezuma, Ribera, San Jose, Anton Chico, Chacon, Cleveland, Guadalupita, La Loma, Mora, Ocate, Rociada, Sapello, Springer, Wagon Mound, Raton, Pecos, Santa Rosa and Las Vegas, N.M. Today’s announcement marks a first step in an extensive roll out to remote areas, Net Medical Xpress executives said.

The service provides remote neurological exams for cases involving stroke, concussions, seizures, migraines, minor head trauma, epilepsy, functional disorders and movement disorders among others. Imaging is available in 2D or 3D. These tools allow neurologists to quickly assess symptoms to make medical decisions, according to Net Medical Xpress.

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Maridel Acosta, CEO of Alta Vista Regional Hospital, said the program has already been highly beneficial for our stroke patients needing quick access to specialists such as neurologists.

“The biggest advantage is we can quickly treat the patient locally and not disrupt their normal lives by transferring them to remote regional trauma centers 200 miles away,” she said. “This also is a great benefit to the families who now are not forced to travel long distances with the patient. At Alta Vista Regional Hospital patients can get quick and competent care promptly when needed."

According to Net Medical Xpress CEO Dick Govatski, quick access to a neurologist during an emergency can be critical to a positive outcome in the patient's treatment.

“We have been developing this program for some time and we were very pleased that Alta Vista agreed to become our first operational site. The success we have realized so far now sets the stage for an extensive roll out to additional hospitals."

"We are using multiple backup systems for the process including Apple's iPad tablets, multi- camera viewing, custom programming of our XR-EXpress PACS system, and report generators,” Govatski said.

Govatski said the company is working on a number of telemedicine initiatives to be released later this year.

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