Robotic technology playing large role in rural health care

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A new robotic technology being tested in Ontario could dramatically improve stroke care for patients in rural and remote parts of Canada, where distance often delays life-saving treatment.

At St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Dr. Vitor Mendes Pereira has been performing brain angiograms remotely using a robot controlled over a fibre-optic internet connection. The procedure allows doctors to diagnose patients without being physically present.

“Every minute counts,” Pereira told the CBC. “If I can deploy the robot and treat closest to where the patient is, that can save hours.”

The team has completed 10 remote angiograms, gradually increasing the distance between doctor and patient. They are now seeking Health Canada approval to perform a remote endovascular thrombectomy — a surgery to remove blood clots — on a patient about 500 kilometres away in Sault Ste. Marie. If approved, it would be the first time the procedure is performed remotely anywhere in the world.

Doctors say the technology could be especially impactful in smaller communities that lack specialized stroke teams.

At Sault Area Hospital, patients who need thrombectomy are currently flown to Sudbury, a delay that can worsen outcomes.

“These patients often suffer significant morbidity … because of the transport times,” said Dr. Michael Kutryk, the hospital’s cardiology department chief. “But that's not a big enough number to have a full-time neurointerventionalist up in Sault Ste. Marie.”

With a robotic system in place, patients could be treated locally while a specialist operates remotely from Toronto.

“I think it's going to be a game-changer for the whole world,” Kutryk said.

For rural and remote communities, doctors say the promise is faster treatment, better outcomes and access to care that has traditionally only been available in major cities.