Did you know that stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States?

 

Nearly 4.7 stroke survivors are alive today, and each year approximately approximately 750,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation's third leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. On average a stroke occurs every 45 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Of every five deaths from stroke, two occur in men and three in women.

 

Stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts. Without blood and the oxygen it carries, part of the brain begins to die. The part of the body controlled by the damaged area of the brain can't work properly. Brain damage can start within minutes, so it is important to know the symptoms of stroke and act fast. Quick treatment can help limit damage to the brain and increase the chance of a full recovery.

 

Saint Thomas Health Services, which includes Saint Thomas Hospital, Baptist Hospital and Middle Tennessee Medical Center (MTMC), treats 43 percent of stroke cases in Middle Tennessee, and approximately 1,000 patients were treated in our three hospitals last year.

 

The Joint Commission has awarded Saint Thomas Hospital Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification. Saint Thomas Hospital earned this distinction after the Joint Commission conducted an on-site review in March 2009, as part of their recertification process. Baptist Hospital and MTMC are also certified Joint Commission Primary Stroke Centers. The certification process is designed to help organizations continuously provide safe, high-quality care, treatment, and services.

 

The three hospitals of Saint Thomas Health Services together are the largest provider of stroke care in the region. As primary stroke centers, our hospitals work together to collaborate on methods that provide the highest level of stroke care.

 

Most recently, Saint Thomas Health Services extended these collaborative methods and launched the Saint Thomas Stroke Network, an expansion of network services currently provided by the Saint Thomas Chest Pain Network.  The Stroke Network localizes care and brings neurological expertise to local EMS and hospital providers across Middle Tennessee & Southern Kentucky.

 

The Saint Thomas Stroke Network was created in an effort to provide our partners across the region with a streamlined approach to advanced stroke care – from early recognition of stroke-like symptoms to prompt diagnosis, treatment and transfer.  The Stroke Network is dedicated to educating patients on preventative measures, and providing access to neurological services in diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation services.

 

Moving patients, especially those living in remote areas, through the stroke system quickly and efficiently is critical to saving more lives and limiting disabilities. Through this network, we hope to improve community awareness for stroke prevention and emergency access for rapid intervention.

 

The Saint Thomas Stroke Network provides onsite analysis and consultation, creates and review protocols, provides onsite education for ED staff, EMS and physicians, monitors clinical approaches, provide process improvement/quality program and supports ongoing community outreach.

 

The Saint Thomas Stroke Network works with their partners to assess their present process and protocols and together adapt tools that expedite and improve emergent assessment and treatment of acute stroke.  The network is also committed in the community to raise awareness of acute stroke symptoms and referral for early intervention to improve the patient's quality of life.

 

This partnership calls for the local hospitals to provide adequate resources, participate in the stroke education and quality improvement programs, and implement the network's protocols and guidelines. The local EMS works cooperatively with the local hospitals to cultivate a positive working relationship, initiate a public relationship with local media, and participate in the Stroke/Chest Pain Committee Meetings and Quality Improvement Processes related to outcomes.

 

Through this network, we are providing the highest quality of efficient, patient centered care in each of the communities we serve.

 

 

Presented in partnership with Saint Thomas Health Services