A stroke telemedicine program has been implemented by an established partnership between St. James Parish Hospital, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals’ Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program (DHH/HDSP), Ochsner Medical Center-New Orleans (Ochsner) and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA). This is also in partnership with the ReachCall

system. This program became effective Oct. 21 at St James Parish Hospital.

DHH/HDSP is providing grant funding to assist in paying some of the implementation costs for St. James Parish Hospital to implement this DHH/Ochsner Telestroke Network program.

This opportunity will provide St. James Parish Hospital access to a stroke neurologist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in an effort to provide the most appropriate stroke care to acute stroke victims.

The signs and symptoms of stroke include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, leg, especially on one side

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

• Sudden trouble seeing

• Sudden trouble walking or dizziness

• Sudden severe headache

Patients who experience the signs and symptoms of stroke should call 911.

For more information on how St. James Parish Hospital call 225-869-5512 or visit www.sjph.org.