UF Health Expands Stroke Care with New Telehealth Program

UF Health Jacksonville has launched a new telehealth service to expand access to lifesaving stroke care across St. Johns County. The telehealth program, which went live Jan. 1, aims to support the existing stroke care efforts at UF Health Flagler Hospital, home to a primary stroke program.

The new service is designed to improve the care of stroke patients, allowing for quicker identification and treatment, as well as seamless transfer of complex cases to UF Health Jacksonville.

Ramon Bautista, MD, MBA, a UF professor and chair of the department of neurology, described the importance of the service.

“Our goal is to ensure that stroke patients get the best care as quickly as possible,” Bautista said. “By providing telestroke consultations, we can help doctors at UF Health Flagler Hospital make informed decisions on whether a patient needs more advanced treatment, such as thrombectomy or other specialized procedures that are available here at UF Health Jacksonville.”

As part of the new telehealth service, UF Health Jacksonville offers 24/7 coverage, with stroke specialists available around the clock to consult with staff at UF Health Flagler Hospital. This service is expected to enhance the hospital’s primary stroke program and ensure that patients in need of advanced stroke treatments are transferred promptly to UF Health Jacksonville.

The expansion of stroke services is part of UF Health’s comprehensive stroke care approach. The UF Health Comprehensive Stroke Program, which is one of only a few programs in Florida accredited by Det Norske Veritasas a Comprehensive Stroke Center, provides advanced treatments such as clot-busting medication and procedures that can save lives and improve recovery. The program also offers rehabilitation services to help stroke patients recover and regain independence.

The telehealth program’s integration with UF Health Jacksonville’s comprehensive stroke care services is just one part of a broader effort to improve stroke care in the region. Dr. Bautista noted that it’s an exciting time for stroke patients in both St. Johns and Duval counties.

"We’re building a stroke network that can serve both counties and eventually reach even farther into surrounding communities," Bautista said.

In addition to the new telehealth services, UF Health Jacksonville will soon launch its Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit, a specially designed ambulance that brings stroke care directly to patients.

The MSTU, which is expected to be in service by spring 2025, is equipped with a portable CT scanner and telemedicine technology. This allows stroke specialists to assess patients in real time, speeding up diagnosis and treatment. The MSTU will also carry medication, such as clot-busting drugs, and can even transport patients directly to the operating room for urgent procedures, bypassing the emergency room entirely.

Together, these new services aim to enhance stroke care across the region, reducing treatment times and improving patient outcomes. With more tools in place to rapidly treat strokes, UF Health Jacksonville and its partner hospitals are leading the way in comprehensive stroke care in Northeast Florida.

Visit the UF Health Comprehensive Stroke Program to learn more.