About our Stroke Program
Strokes occur when a clot or blockage happens in an artery that cuts off blood flow to the brain. Because brain cells begin to die in minutes, prompt treatment is crucial. If you’ve had a stroke, you’ll need a team of local experts and access to the best diagnostic tools available.
When a stroke occurs, delays of minutes or even seconds can mean the difference between life and death.
The good news is that fewer Americans are dying of stroke now than in the past since emergency responders are trained to recognize the symptoms and pass that knowledge on to the doctors in the emergency department.
24/7 help available
We have a dedicated team of highly skilled medical professionals — including neurointerventional neurologists/neurosurgeons/neuroradiologists, stroke neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurointensivists, nurses, therapists, laboratory and pharmacy staff, and social workers — who are specially trained to diagnose and treat those who are having a stroke.
Our evaluation and treatment procedures follow extensive guidelines that address both emergency and ongoing care. In the case of ischemic strokes (80% of stroke cases), we administer thrombolytic medication to break up the clot and restore blood flow to the brain.
What you can expect:
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Your ambulance team communicating with the hospital before you arrive in our emergency department.
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A head CT scan or brain MRI scan performed and interpreted within 45 minutes of admittance.
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Stroke rehabilitation therapy offered immediately after hospitalization to improve long-term outcomes and lower the risk of complications.
Tests
To help diagnose a stroke, your doctor may order a number of tests and assessments, which can include:
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Blood tests.
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X-rays.
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Ultrasound scanning.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI is a safe and painless test that uses radio waves and magnets to create a detailed view of the inside of the body.
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Computerized tomography (CT) scan A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the inside of the body.
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Additional tests. These are conducted to find out whether there are heart-related problems, such as an irregular heartbeat.
Treatment
Before deciding on a course of treatment for you, we'll take into account your specific diagnosis and other factors to come up with an option that best fits your individual needs. We use a multi-disciplinary approach, which means bringing in experts from various fields and divisions to come up with a plan of treatment.
Generally, treatment may include:
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Medication. This can include medications to dissolve clots, reduce pressure on the brain or control blood pressure.
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Surgery. There are a number of options for surgical care, depending on factors ranging from the type of stroke (transient ischemic, ischemic or hemorrhagic) to severity.
Road to Recovery
Once you have a stroke, you'll want to reduce the risk of having another. The Road to Recovery Stroke Booklet provides information on how to lower your risk factors.
Award-Winning
Stroke Program
Award-Winning Stroke Program
Community Regional Medical Center is certified as a Primary Stroke Center and has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission.
Community Regional Medical Center is certified as a Primary Stroke Center and has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission, the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare.
This certification reflects our team’s commitment to providing quality front-line care, delivering the highest level of stroke care and support in the region.
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