St. Joseph Stroke Center

The St. Joseph Stroke Center is a comprehensive integrated program for acute stroke patients. The program includes prevention and education, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

Our team of nurses and physicians are specially trained to provide quick diagnosis and treatment for individuals suffering from ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. The team works together to obtain the necessary tests confirming the stroke and stays with the patient until treatment has been fully initiated.

Stroke Center Components

Following guidelines established by the American Stroke Association, St. Joseph Stroke Center features:

• A multidisciplinary acute stroke team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists, emergency physicians and nurses under the direction of a Stroke Center coordinator and board-certified physician specializing in care for the acute stroke patient, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• An inpatient unit dedicated to the treatment and monitoring of stroke patients during their initial acute-care phase and beyond to rehabilitation and discharge
• CT scan done immediately.
• Staff with special training and expertise in the continuum of care for stroke patients
• Coordination with emergency medical services in the community to ensure timely access to acute stroke care
• An established set of evidence-based guidelines to ensure a consistent approach to diagnosis, treatment and continued care of stroke patients
• Detailed tracking of outcomes to identify quality improvement opportunities
• A stroke team that can be at the patient’s bedside within five minutes of notification
• Education programs for the community on stroke prevention, diagnosis and treatment

There are several different types of stroke:

• The vessel clogs within (ischemic stroke)
• The vessel ruptures, causing blood to leak into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke)
• The vessel clogs for a short time and resolves itself through normal mechanisms (transient ischemic attacks- TIAs)

Ischemic strokes account for about 83 percent of all stroke cases. The underlying cause for this type of stroke is an obstruction of fatty deposits lining the vessel walls. It is treated by removing the obstruction and restoring blood flow to the brain. TIAs are often warning signs of an ischemic stroke.

Hemorrhagic strokes account for about 17 percent of stroke cases. These strokes result from weakened vessels that rupture and bleed into the surrounding brain. It is treated by introducing an obstruction to prevent rupture and bleeding.

Time Is of the Essence

According to the American Stroke Association, every 45 seconds someone in America has a stroke. Every three minutes someone dies of one. When it comes to treatment, time is of the essence. The longer you wait, the more damage you may have.

Warning signs of stroke include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
• If you or someone you know has any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

For More Information

If you have questions about the St. Joseph Stroke Center, call 816-943-2400.