University Hospital of North Norway brings acute stroke care closer to the patient in the
Mid-Troms district
The outcome of the innovative project can have great significance for the future treatment of acute stroke in Norway and abroad.
"A stroke can be caused by a blood clot or bleeding. If the stroke is caused by a blood clot, the treatment is anticoagulant medication called, thrombolysis. Before thrombolysis, we must always take a CT scan of the head to rule out cerebral hemorrhage. The consequence for the patient is often that one either does not reach the treatment that must be started within 4.5 hours, or that they arrive late when the effect is lowest."
First District Medical Center in Norway with a CT
"We want to move the stroke care closer to the patient so more patients can be offered treatment, as well as receive the treatment at an earlier stage when the effect is highest. To achieve this, we use new working methods, new technology, and better interaction"
Early treatment essential in the treatment of stroke
In Norway, more than 10.000 patients are affected by stroke each year. The acute failure of blood and oxygen supply to an area of the brain is most often caused by a blood clot in a vein in the brain. The time before the blood supply is restored is decisive for the size of the damage, and affects both survival and future level of function, like talking or walking. Early treatment increases the chance of survival with good results after stroke.

The CT lab is transformed to a telemedicine emergency room with cameras and monitors
To rule out a cerebral haemorrhage, a CT scan of the patient's head must be taken. The CT machine is located at the district medical center at Finnsnes and is remotely controlled by a radiographer at the University Hospital in Tromsø. The clinical examination, decision-making and thrombolysis treatment are done in a video conference with a neurologist before the patient is transported to the stroke unit at the hospital.
New collaboration across the municipal health service and hospital specialists
In order to be able to move the treatment closer to the patients, new ways of working together - use of new technology and interaction between the municipality and the hospital - have been established. The goal is to reduce time, take faster decisions, start the treatment earlier and to get a common understanding among all the health care providers involved.
Impact on future acute stroke care treatment
The project is a collaboration between the University Hospital North Norway, District Medical Center at Finnsnes, Senja Municipality, University of Tromsø, Health North IKT and Siemens Healthineers. The results of the project can have great significance for the future organization of acute stroke treatment in the region, other regions in Norway and abroad.
The goal is to contribute to:
- Effective sharing of expertise and harmonization of surveys
- Reduction in time to make a diagnosis and start treatment
- Cost savings by reducing the number of air ambulance trips
- Utilization of resources and cutting-edge expertise in the region regardless of physical location