The MHH Teleneurology Network (MHH-TNN) was founded on June 1, 2016. The network is a cooperation between the Department of Neurology, which serves as a center for neurological emergency care and stroke care, and the Helios Clinical Departments in Hildesheim, Salzgitter, Northeim, Herzberg/Osterode, Schwelm and Mittelweser, the Sana Klinikum Hameln Pyrmont, the Agaplesion ev. hospital Holzminden, the Agaplesion ev. hospital Schaumburg and the Bonifatius Hospital Lingen.

First and foremost, the MHH TNN supports the emergency care of stroke patients in the partner clinics via the supra-regional stroke unit of the MHH. Other neurological emergencies such as unclear loss of consciousness, epileptic seizures or meningitis/encephalitis are also diagnosed and treated via the MHH TNN. Telemedical/teleneurological applications are used for this purpose.

What exactly is "teleneurology"?

The MHH TNN has a team of neurologists available for teleconsultations around the clock, 365 days a year. After a stroke patient or other serious neurological emergency arrives at the partner clinics, the duty physician there contacts the tele-neurologist at the center and discusses further diagnostics (e.g. carrying out a computer tomography of the brain). After transmitting the image data to the teleneurologist, the latter uses a high-resolution camera system at the patient's bedside, the so-called Teledoc® (manufacturer: Meytec), to produce a live video stream of the patient examination. This is followed by a consultation on acute therapy and diagnostics, including a consultation report.

Lysis therapy is a special treatment for acute strokes, which is carried out in some patients within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms and may prevent permanent disability. A video-supported consultation with a specialized neurologist from the MHH TNN enables the duty physician to decide within a few minutes whether a patient is suitable for such therapy and to initiate it on site.

The principle of the network is to strengthen care close to home. Nevertheless, the network also identifies patients who have an indication for emergency transfer and further diagnosis and treatment (e.g. mechanical recanalization by a neurorinterventionalist in the case of acute vascular occlusion, space-occupying strokes or complex neurological conditions).

In addition to teleconsultation in the admission situation, the network supports the establishment of complex stroke treatment in accordance with OPS 8.98b.01. The network includes an intensive training concept for the professional groups involved in stroke treatment. Quality assurance meetings are held every six months to improve the structures and processes for effective and up-to-date stroke treatment. Experienced nursing staff from the supra-regional stroke unit travel to the partner clinics for bedside training.

Contact

PD Dr. H. WorthmannDr. R. Schuppner

Network Coordinator TeleneurologyDeputy Coordinator Teleneurology

E-Mail: Teleneurologie@mh-hannover.de E-Mail: T eleneur ologie@mh-hannover.de

Y. Oleznyuk

Med. Data Management Teleneurology

E-mail: Teleneurologie@mh-hannover.de