Program introduced at London hospitals leads to faster stroke treatment

Posted: Published on November 22nd, 2014

This post was added by Dr Simmons

Until recently, if you were going to have a stroke in London, it was better to do so someplace other than at the hospital.

For though London hospitals had a system to quickly assess and treat stroke victims who arrive from the community, that systemic approach was missing within the hospitals but thats changed.

Code Stroke is the name for a new way of treating patients whose strokes occur while they are in hospital. Unveiled Oct. 15 at University Hospital and in July at Victoria Hospital, the new system differs significantly from what it replaced.

Nurses have been better trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke. When they suspect a case, they call a mobile intensive-care team who can get to the patient quickly and assess if theyre likely having a stroke much like paramedics do in the community.

Thats very different from the old way of doing things, when nurses used their own discretion about whom to contact, Some contacted the senior physician or resident on their ward, some phoned staff in neurology and othess arranged for CT scans that might show if there was a clot in the brain that was causing a stroke.

That streamlined change can be a lifesaver because clot-busting drugs need to be given within 4 1/2 hours from the onset of stroke.

Though its too soon to say if the faster care will save lives, thats the expectation.

Thats what were hopeful for, Dr. Jennifer Mandzia, a neurologist at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), said Friday. We know we can make a big difference if we can help them (quickly).

The improvement doesnt stop with faster diagnoses and treatment. Until recently, stroke victims recovered in the ward where their stroke occurred even though the nurses and doctors there werent specialists. Now, those victims will recover in the same speciality stroke unit as those who suffer their strokes in the community.

Being cared for by the experts will aid recovery, said Cathy Vandersluis, LHSCs director of infection control and clinical neurosciences.

Excerpt from:
Program introduced at London hospitals leads to faster stroke treatment

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