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 Stroke Warning Signs and Risk Factors Stroke Warning Signs and Risk Factors  Stroke Awareness DVD Stroke Awareness DVD  Neurology Neurology

Primary Stroke Center

Rapid-response treatment for stroke offers the greatest chance for recovery.  St. Mary Medical Center is a Primary Stroke Center that is fully equipped and staffed to provide state-of-the-art rapid evaluation and treatment for stroke.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the number cause of disability.  Most strokes are preventable and many are treatable.  The most important factor is to seek immediate medical care. Once stroke occurs, the goal is to lessen the potentially debilitating effects, prevent further damage to the brain and reduce the medical and physical complications following a stroke.  Immediate medical care is critical to achieving the best outcome. Know the warning signs and seek immediate medical treatment at the first signs of stroke.  CAT scans and MRIs are among brain imaging techniques to diagnose the cause and extent of stroke.

NEWS ON DEMAND

Dr. Emil Matarese discusses stroke risks with
Rasa Kaye on KYW Health Report.

More Stroke News From
St. Mary Medical Center

 NEW FOR 2010! 
FREE!
Educational Sessions for Stroke Survivors and Family Caregivers. 
Click here for more information, or register now .

The St. Mary Primary Stroke Center earned the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval

 

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recognize St. Mary Medical Center for consistent adherence to all Get With The Guidelines™ Stroke Performance Achievement  indicators and Quality Measures for two consecutive 12-month intervals

Stroke Center Key Elements

A multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals utilize established medical protocols to provide accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment for stroke.
  • Integrated Emergency Response Team
    EMS personnel specially trained to recognize and evaluate stroke victims and provide immediate transport for treatment
  • Emergency Room-based Rapid Response Stroke Team
    with critical care services supported by the St. Mary Trauma Center, Bucks County's only state-accredited Trauma Center
  • Stroke-Trained Neurologists
    Stroke-Trained NeuroSurgeons
  • Acute Stroke Program Coordinator, a nurse practioner who oversees the standards of care for acute stroke patients and provides education to nursing staff, patients and families  
  • Thrombolytic Therapy (tPA)
  • Stroke Care Unit specializing in inpatient and critical care
  • Nursing Staff specially trained in monitoring and treatment of stroke
  • Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine inpatient and outpatient service
    Physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational and recreational therapy
  • CAT Scan and laboratory testing available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
  • Home Health Care and Follow-up Services 
  • Social Services discharge planning
 

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recognize St. Mary Medical Center for achieving at least two years of consistent adherence to Get With The Guidelinesprogram quality indicators.

Once stroke occurs, the goal is to minimize potential damage. That is why immediate medical care is so important. Many new treatments work only if given within a few hours after the onset of stroke. Rapid-response stroke care begins with an assessment by trained EMS personnel and/or upon arrival in the Emergency Services department of the hospital. Emergency room physicians and stroke-trained neurologists are part of the 24-hour on-call stroke response team.

Evaluation and Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic tests used to determine the best course of treatment include:

  • Neurologic exam
  • NIH Stroke Assesment protocol  
  • Brain imaging tests – CAT scans, MRIs – to determine the type, location and extent of the stroke
  • Test that show blood flow and bleeding sites – Carotid Ultrasound,  MRA Angiography of the brain and cervical arteries, Conventional Angiography
  • Blood tests for bleeding or clotting disorders
  • EKG or Echocardiogram ultrasound examination of the heart to identify potential for blood clots that could travel to the brain
  • Tests that gauge functional impairments

After tests and evaluation are complete than a course of treatment is selected.

Stroke caused by a blockage
If the stroke is an blockage of blood to the brain, treatment could include

  • tPA – (tissue plasminogen activator) a new clot-busting drug that can significantly reduce long-term disability if patient is an eligible candidate and treatment begins within the first three hours of the onset of stroke.
  • Drugs that thin the blood – anticoagulants
  • Drugs that break up clots – thrombolytics
  • Drugs to stop the "chain reaction" of stroke damage
  • Surgery to clean the insides of blood vessels and restore blood flow
  • Procedures to dilate blocked blood vessels

Stroke as a result of hemorrhage
If the stroke is caused by hemorrhage, treatment could include

  • Drugs that maintain normal clotting
  • Surgery to remove blood in the brain and decrease pressure on the brain
  • Surgery to fix broken blood vessels
  • Drugs that prevent or reverse swelling in the brain

Most patients experiencing stroke are hospitalized and monitoring and treatment continues with nursing and other healthcare professionals trained in stroke care.

Rehabilitation and follow-up care helps to restore functions lost as a result of stroke.  The human brain is highly adaptable and patients can learn new ways of functioning.

Health professionals at St. Mary Medical Center conduct free stroke assessments periodically throughout the year.  Call 215.710.5888 to be put on a notification list for the next Stroke Screening.  "Brain attack" or stroke remains the nation’s third leading cause of death as well as a leading cause of disability.

A personal risk assessment includes:

  • Personal stroke-risk history
    • Diabetes
    • Hyperlipidemia
    • Obesity
    • Hypertension
    • Smoking
  • Blood pressure screening
  • Check for erratic heart rate
  • Carotid bruits
  • Informative literature from the American Heart Association

Stroke Support Meetings
are held the second Tuesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. in the Rehab Dining Area,
third floor of hospital.
All stroke survivors and families are welcome.
Reservations are not required.
Call 215.710.5828 for more information.

Become a Stroke Survivor Volunteer

If you are a stroke survivor, your knowledge and experience can help and support other stroke victims and their cargivers.  You can choose the times convenient to you to visit with patients at St. Mary who have experienced a stroke.

If you are interested in being a Stroke Survivor Volunteer, please contact Lil Schonewolf  (lschonewolf@stmaryhealthcare.org ) in Volunteer Services at 215.710.2096.

 

Our Community Education Department has several programs to educate the community about risk factors of stroke and preventive steps to minimize those risks.  Call 215.710.5888 for more information.

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