Wickenburg Community Hospital- Mayo Telestroke Program
Stroke is the third leading cause of death among Americans and the No. 1 cause of disability in adults. Of all strokes, 85 percent are ischemic in nature, meaning that it is caused by an obstruction within a vessel supplying blood to the brain. Research shows endovascular therapy or intervention to remove a blockage or blood clot is the most effective treatment. The Wickenburg Community Hospital (WCH)-Mayo partnership focuses on improved access to treatment in Wickenburg and surrounding communities. At WCH, our mission is to provide quality health and wellness services where the patient, family and community come first. Our partnership with the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix is another step toward achieving that mission. In collaboration with the stroke neurologists and our emergency department providers, immediate, life-saving interventions can begin shortly after a stroke patient enters the ED. This service affords the patient immediate, life saving care.
What To Expect:
During a Telestroke examination; a stroke patient is examined with the use of a mobile robot located at WCH, which enables the patient be seen and evaluated in real time by a neurology specialist at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Within minutes; the stroke neurologist (who can be seen and heard on screen) along with the emergency room clinical staff, determines a plan of care and treatment to be initiated by the emergency physician. The process reduces the amount of time it takes to perform neurological assessments by having them completed simultaneously between consulting and on-site physicians. Collaboration between Mayo stroke neurologists and physicians through Mayo Telestroke has resulted in 96 percent accuracy in diagnosing stroke and implementing brain savings procedures.
Benefits of Telestroke:
- Patients showing signs of stroke can be examined by a neurologist in real time. In addition to assessment of the patient, the neurologist can view scans of the patient’s brain to detect possible damage from a hemorrhage or blocked artery.
- A major benefit of the collaboration is that patients with stroke symptoms who meet the criteria can often be administered clot-busting medications within the narrow window of time necessary to minimize permanent injury to the brain.
- In collaboration with the Mayo stroke neurologists and our emergency department providers, immediate, life-saving interventions can begin shortly after the patient enters the ED. This service affords the patient better care and ultimately saves lives.
What To Do In Case Of Stroke:
Act FAST to Identify a Stroke
When a stroke continues without treatment, more brain damage continues to occur. This is because brain tissue is deprived of oxygen-rich blood when a stroke occurs, and brain cells begin to die. That’s why fast, immediate care is essential. The National Stroke Association, developed a great campaign to identify a stroke with the FAST acronym:
F – Face. If someone’s face is drooping on one side, it could be a stroke. As them to smile, and if half their face is drooping, call 9-1-1 immediately.
A – Arm. If someone suffers from sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, it could be a stroke. As the person to raiser his/her arm, and if one drifts downward, call 9-1-1 immediately.
S – Speech. Sudden slurred speech or difficulty with words could be the sign of a stroke. Ask the person to talk, and if they have sudden difficulty, call 9-1-1 immediately.
T – Time. If you see any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately because time is brain when it comes to stroke!
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you observe any of these symptoms.
Note the time of the first symptom.
This information is important and can affect treatment decisions.