We at MAC Alliance are excited to introduce MAC Brain Health Cart, the game-changing innovation that brings top brain health monitoring concussion diagnostic testing wherever you are. MAC-Cart offers critical technology to facilities and communities virtually anywhere using advanced testing methods and telemedicine, all through an affordable leasing program for health providers. Our goal is to serve patients who might not previously have had access to important screening and diagnostic tools.
Why Is MAC-Cart So Revolutionary?
Concussions can happen at any time, anywhere. Whether playing a sport, engaging in recreational activities or experiencing a simple fall, concussions can happen. Also, the acceleration, deceleration forces from motor vehicle accidents can often cause a concussion. Often times without even hitting your head. The frequency of head injuries in the U.S. may surprise you:
- Over 8 million people yearly visiting emergency rooms for concussion and traumatic brain injuries. Yet, despite this large number of reported concussions, many more still go undiagnosed or undetected.
- The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) found five out of ten concussions go unreported and underdetected.
- A Harvard and Boston University joint study found that 80% of football concussions go unreported.
- Patient logging on to MAC-Cart portal where she will be able to take two top cognitive exams and speak with a doctor through telemedicine.
Concussion Diagnosis and Prompt Treatment are Important
There is a real need to diagnose more head injuries promptly. MAC Alliance has created a way to close the gap and make quality brain health monitoring and concussion care accessible: MAC-Cart.
Beyond the high numbers of unreported and underdetected concussions, there is also the concern that head injuries can be cumulative in damage. A concussion that is left without care and diagnosis, followed by a repeat head injury, can increase the chances of long-term permanent damage.
MAC-Cart Offers Early, Fast, Expert Screening and Diagnosis
The MAC-Cart is a compact and portable hub that includes EyeGuide Focus, ImPACT, and Cambridge Brain Science (CBS) Health brain-health testing technology. Each test targets different aspects of brain activity and symptoms through vestibular and task-based exams. Providing three of the best brain monitoring tests and access to concussion specialist doctors all on one device, MAC-Cart is the next technological advancement in brain health and concussion care. Location is no longer a barrier to quality care for head injury or brain health issues.
Along with these advanced tests, MAC-Cart allows users to connect with concussion specialists through secured telemedicine systems. Expert MAC Alliance physicians can perform a complete vestibular ocular motor exam remotely by telemedicine to check up on the progress of recovery. Also, at each telemedicine visit, the physician can review the results of the repeat EyeGuide infrared test and compare it to prior tests to track recovery. Repeat ImPACT or Cambridge Brain Sciences neurocognitive testing can be done as well, and a comparison to previous tests can be reviewed by the physician and explained to the patient. Taking all of these objective measures and a thorough history, the certified MAC medical provider can then come up with a plan including prescription therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, and if needed ocular and cognitive therapy.—all by telemedicine Prescriptions are sent electronically to the patient’s pharmacy and prescriptions for vestibular, ocular, or cognitive therapy can be printed out on the MAC-Cart printer on-site. Additionally, work, school or sports notes, as well as any instructions, can be printed out on the MAC-Cart as needed.
MAC-Cart Telemedicine Options
The telemedicine component of the MAC-Cart provides remote expertise from our MAC Alliance team. This allows for people to check on brain health and have access to vital after-care options.
The Story Behind the MAC-Cart.
MAC Alliance President and Medical Director Vincent E. Schaller, MD, DABFM, CIC, came up with the idea for MAC-Cart after noticing a need nationally for a portable, accurate and fast screening and diagnostic all-in-one tool. He felt the time had come for a hub that could connect concussion specialists with patients in medical offices, athletic training facilities, assisted living communities, urgent-care centers, chiropractic offices and other locations, using the latest cutting-edge technology for concussion and baseline testing available. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted just how useful telemedicine could be in bringing such a mobile testing and diagnosis program to life.
Being stuck at home a lot during the early part of the pandemic, Dr. Schaller started drawing sketches of his vision of MAC-Cart. He thought about ways to blend all this concussion technology with telemedicine in such a way so that our MAC physicians could reach other people who were also homebound. Then it dawned on him: beyond COVID-19 restrictions, the MAC-Cart could be used just about anywhere, helping patients who might otherwise not have access to these tools because where they live or because of lack of transportation or easy mobility.
So, What’s on the Portable MAC-Cart?
- A 10-second infrared ocular brain-health screening tool
- Two of the world’s leading neurocognitive screening tools
- Ability to conduct important athlete baseline testing on location
- Instantaneous delivery of test results to MAC Alliance brain health specialists
- Safe and secure telemedicine portal
- Detailed reports ready to print and/or securely email
- Components that are easy to assemble and very portable—can be transported by vehicle.
- A complete brain-health and concussion testing hub that can reduce critical injury-to-diagnosis time
Where Can Patients Find MAC-Carts?
Right now, we have 10 MAC-Carts testing in the Mid-Atlantic region. While the MAC-Cart will not be widely available until March 1, 2021, we are continuing to send prototypes into the field for testing. If you would like more information about the MAC-Cart, our staff would be happy to speak with you. Anyone interested in trying a prototype at their practice or in pre-ordering a MAC-Cart lease, please call 302-235-8808 or email us. You can also find more details on the MAC-Cart website.
