Press Releases
Print Saving the lives of stroke patients at Adena
January 09, 2012
The creation of a Primary Stroke Center in the Adena Medical Center has dramatically improved the care provided to patients experiencing strokes or suspected of experiencing strokes.
Since its creation last year, the medical center has received Primary Stroke Certification from DNV, a healthcare accreditation body and a global provider of services for managing risk.
“The Primary Stroke Center certification demonstrates Adena’s commitment to excellence in caring for stroke patients who now can receive state-of-the-art care close to home,” said Rhonda K. Elliott, RN, MS, CNS and a member of the Adena’s stroke team.
Neurologist Dr. Michael Jones is the director of Adena’s Stroke Program and heads the stroke team, which consists of physicians, nurses and representatives from social services, rehabilitation, lab, radiology and EMS.
As a result, waiting times in the Emergency Department are eliminated for patients who arrive with stroke symptoms.
“The minute a patient arrives at Adena with possible stroke symptoms, the ED physician activates a ‘stroke alert,’ which brings together a special team that cares for the patient until he or she is stabilized or transferred,” Elliott said.
The primary goal is to evaluate patients to determine if they should receive a blood clot-busting medication called Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator, better known as tPA.
“If tPA is administered soon after stroke symptoms begin, there is a much greater chance of recovery,” she said.
The Adena Medical Center also has a relationship with Riverside Methodist Hospital, a member of the OhioHealth Network in Columbus, in the event that patients need more specialized care.
Advances in the treatment of stroke led to the creation of primary stroke centers across the nation, much like the one at Adena.
A few years ago, studies revealed that fewer than 5 percent of people with acute strokes received tPA, which needs to be given within three hours of the beginning of stroke symptoms.
By designating a stroke center and eliminating waiting times in an emergency department, stroke sufferers stand a much greater chance of recovery.
Adena must meet stringent criteria to maintain Primary Stroke Center status with DNV. They include the following:
• A CT or MRI scanner and a physician with expertise in interpreting CT or MRI studies must be available 24/7. Scans and studies must be completed within 45 minutes of the patient’s arrival to the hospital.
• Neurology services must be available 24/7.
• Laboratory tests of patients with acute stroke must be completed within 45 minutes of being ordered.
• A written protocol for the administration of tPA must exist in the emergency department.
• An acute stroke team, which includes a physician and other healthcare professionals, must be available around the clock.
Since its creation last year, the medical center has received Primary Stroke Certification from DNV, a healthcare accreditation body and a global provider of services for managing risk.
“The Primary Stroke Center certification demonstrates Adena’s commitment to excellence in caring for stroke patients who now can receive state-of-the-art care close to home,” said Rhonda K. Elliott, RN, MS, CNS and a member of the Adena’s stroke team.
Neurologist Dr. Michael Jones is the director of Adena’s Stroke Program and heads the stroke team, which consists of physicians, nurses and representatives from social services, rehabilitation, lab, radiology and EMS.
As a result, waiting times in the Emergency Department are eliminated for patients who arrive with stroke symptoms.
“The minute a patient arrives at Adena with possible stroke symptoms, the ED physician activates a ‘stroke alert,’ which brings together a special team that cares for the patient until he or she is stabilized or transferred,” Elliott said.
The primary goal is to evaluate patients to determine if they should receive a blood clot-busting medication called Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator, better known as tPA.
“If tPA is administered soon after stroke symptoms begin, there is a much greater chance of recovery,” she said.
The Adena Medical Center also has a relationship with Riverside Methodist Hospital, a member of the OhioHealth Network in Columbus, in the event that patients need more specialized care.
Advances in the treatment of stroke led to the creation of primary stroke centers across the nation, much like the one at Adena.
A few years ago, studies revealed that fewer than 5 percent of people with acute strokes received tPA, which needs to be given within three hours of the beginning of stroke symptoms.
By designating a stroke center and eliminating waiting times in an emergency department, stroke sufferers stand a much greater chance of recovery.
Adena must meet stringent criteria to maintain Primary Stroke Center status with DNV. They include the following:
• A CT or MRI scanner and a physician with expertise in interpreting CT or MRI studies must be available 24/7. Scans and studies must be completed within 45 minutes of the patient’s arrival to the hospital.
• Neurology services must be available 24/7.
• Laboratory tests of patients with acute stroke must be completed within 45 minutes of being ordered.
• A written protocol for the administration of tPA must exist in the emergency department.
• An acute stroke team, which includes a physician and other healthcare professionals, must be available around the clock.
