Dignity Health | hello Healthy| Summer 2018

4 DignityHealth.org/Bakersfield | Summer 2018 When you’re dealing with a life- threatening brain disorder, minutes matter. Dignity Health’s three Primary Stroke Centers at Memorial Hospital, Mercy Hospital Downtown, and Mercy Hospital Southwest are certified by The Joint Commission, which means that the services provided are tailored to meet the unique and specialized needs of stroke patients. The Sarvanand Heart and Brain Center at Memorial Hospital is also proud to offer the most comprehensive neurology services in Kern County. Memorial Hospital’s team of renowned neurologists provides special expertise in a variety of complex conditions affecting the brain. Over the past decade, Memorial Hospital has made significant advances to its neuroscience program, including the addition of an eight-bed Neurological Critical Care Unit (CCU). The Neuro CCU is dedicated to treating patients with life-threatening brain conditions such as stroke, brain aneurysms, epilepsy, and meningitis. Michele Shain, Senior Director of Memorial Hospital’s Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Services, says the addition of this department means targeted care for critically ill patients. “Neuro patients are different than some of the other patients that we care for,” Shain explains. “We believe these patients should be cared for with an expertise specifically for them. This, in turn, can greatly improve their outcomes.” Beat-the-clock stroke treatment Memorial Hospital’s Sarvanand Heart and Brain Center also boasts some of the most advanced techniques in the treatment of stroke. Memorial Hospital is a Joint Commission-certified stroke center and has earned Gold Plus Target Stroke Recognition from the American Stroke Association (ASA). Mercy Hospitals have also received Gold Plus Target Stroke Recognition by the ASA. “We’ve built our program and processes and have been able to maintain an exemplary level of care over the years,” Shain says. “It has to be a dedicated, focused effort.” Memorial Hospital has a team of highly skilled doctors available to rapidly respond and evaluate a patient presenting with stroke symptoms. When it comes to stroke care, time is of the essence. It’s estimated that every minute a stroke goes untreated, roughly 2 million brain cells die. Interventional neurology specialist Kiron Thomas, MD, Saving brains, saving lives Be prepared! Visit dignityhealth.org/ bakersfield/stroke to: • Get more information about Dignity Health’s neurology services—including its three Primary Stroke Centers at Memorial Hospital, Mercy Hospital Downtown, and Mercy Hospital Southwest. • Learn the symptoms of a stroke. • Take a free stroke risk assessment. • Get connected with a neurology expert. Memorial Hospital offers specialized services for complex neuro disorders