When
someone is having a
stroke, time saved is brain saved.
That’s why Dignity Health North
State has expanded its telestroke
program, which means that
advanced stroke technology and
rapid treatment is now available at
Mercy Medical Center Redding,
St. Elizabeth Community Hos-
pital, and Mercy Medical Center
Mt. Shasta.
Ahigh-tech tool
Blood clots cause most strokes,
but lifesaving medication can
often limit long-term damage.
However, these drugs must be
given quickly—and they’re not
right for everyone. Doctors have
to evaluate each patient, and often
that requires a neurologist.
Now, through the telestroke
program, neurologists from the
Dignity Health Neurological
Institute in Sacramento can assess
patients in any of the three north
state hospitals within minutes.
A telemedicine robot placed next
to the patient’s bedside makes it
possible. The neurologist appears
via video screen and—in real
time—observes the patient and
sees all test results. Working with
local emergency physicians, the
neurologist then determines if a
stroke is occurring—and how to
treat it.
Ateame ort
The program is well-established
at Mercy Medical Center Red-
ding, and Mercy Medical Center
Mt. Shasta and St. Elizabeth
Community Hospital (SECH)
joined the program in June.
Within days, patients bene ted.
Following a consultation with
a telestroke physician, a SECH
patient received a clot-busting
drug within 60 minutes of arriving
at the emergency department.
“This neurological consult would
not have occurred at our hospital
without the telestroke program,”
says Doug Winter, RN, MSN, CEN,
emergency department manager
at SECH.
Act F.A.S.T.
If you think someone’s having a stroke,
watch for these signs and take action:
F
acial droop;
uneven smile
A
rm numbness
or weakness
S
lurred speech
and difficulty speaking
T
iming is critical;
call 911 immediately
Proven quality you can trust
Getting rapid stroke care is crucial. But so is getting high-quality care.
Thankfully there’s no need to compromise. The Stroke Center at Mercy
Medical Center Redding provides both and has been honored with the:
American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) Get
Life-savingstrokecare, close tohome
Telestroke programmeans expertise is always nearby
TREATMENT OF
STROKE
FIVE-STAR
RECIPIENT
2014
With The Guidelines
®
–
Stroke Gold Plus
performance award
AHA/ASA Target: Stroke
honor roll award
Joint Commission
Gold Seal of Approval
Healthgrades five-star
designation for stroke
treatment
If you or your loved one suspects a
stroke, the most important thing to
do is to get to the hospital quickly,
says Deb Wedick, RN, CNRN,
Dignity Health North State tele-
medicine coordinator at the Stroke
Center at Mercy Medical Center
Redding. “Be fast,” she says. “Dial
911 and get in so we can help you.”
CARDIAC
See the back page for a map
of the Dignity Health North
State service area.
11
Dignity Health
