Is your hospital prepared to fight the clock against stroke? Don’t wait until it’s too late to find out if your hospital has the expertise, technology, and resources to provide the critical care you need. Make sure you know the answer to this life-saving question: is your hospital stroke ready?
What is a stroke-ready hospital?
A stroke-ready hospital is a medical facility that has met specific requirements to provide timely and effective treatment for stroke patients. These hospitals have specialized equipment, staff, and protocols in place to diagnose and treat stroke quickly, which can help improve outcomes for patients. This means stroke reversal, less disability or prevention of death.
The criteria for being designated as a stroke-ready hospital may vary depending on the country or region. However, generally, these hospitals must have:
- A designated stroke unit: Acute Stroke Unit or Neuro ICU
- 24/7 availability of imaging services such as CT and MRI scans
- Trained stroke specialists and staff: Brain Attack Team
- Protocols for delivering intravenous thrombolysis within a specific time frame: Stroke Pathway
- Processes for transferring patients who need more advanced care to a comprehensive stroke center.
Having a stroke-ready hospital nearby can be critical in an emergency, as every second counts when it comes to treating stroke. Early treatment can help minimize brain damage and improve the chances of recovery.
What is a Brain Attack Team?
A brain attack team is a group of highly skilled medical professionals who work together to combat the stealthy and potentially devastating effects of a stroke. Just like a tactical response unit, this team is trained to act quickly and efficiently, utilizing their expertise to diagnose, treat and prevent further damage to the brain.
Their tools of the trade include advanced imaging equipment, powerful clot-busting medications, and minimally invasive procedures to remove clots and repair damaged blood vessels. They also provide comprehensive care after the acute phase of treatment, helping patients to rehabilitate and recover their abilities to think, communicate, and move.
With the brain attack team on the case, patients can rest assured that they are receiving the best possible care in their fight against stroke.
What are the benefits of having a stroke-ready hospital?
There are several benefits of having a stroke-ready hospital nearby, including:
- Faster treatment: Stroke-ready hospitals have specialized equipment and trained staff to diagnose and treat stroke quickly. Early treatment is essential in preventing brain damage and improving outcomes for stroke patients.
- Better outcomes: Patients who receive treatment at a stroke-ready hospital have better outcomes compared to those who do not. They are more likely to survive and have fewer disabilities after a stroke.
- Reduced costs: Early treatment can reduce the length of hospital stays and the need for expensive rehabilitation services, ultimately reducing healthcare costs. It can also reduce indirect costs of care such as caregiver fees and loss of productivity because of disability.
- Access to specialized care: Stroke-ready hospitals have specialized staff and equipment, including stroke units and neurologists, that may not be available at other hospitals.
- Improved quality of life: Faster treatment and better outcomes can lead to improved quality of life for stroke survivors and their families.
- Community education: Stroke-ready hospitals often offer community education programs to raise awareness about stroke symptoms and prevention. This can help reduce the number of strokes in the community and improve overall health outcomes.
Is Asian Hospital stroke-ready?
Asian Hospital and Medical Center is recognized as a stroke-ready hospital by the Stroke Society of the Philippines. The hospital has a dedicated Stroke Center that provides timely and effective treatment for stroke patients, including access to specialized equipment, trained stroke specialists and staff, and protocols for delivering intravenous thrombolysis as well as mechanical thrombectomy within a specific time frame. The hospital also has a Stroke Unit with 24/7 availability of imaging services such as CT scans and MRI scans.
If you or someone you know is at risk of stroke, it’s important to learn whether your local hospital is stroke-ready. The faster stroke is treated, the better the outcome is likely to be. Knowing which hospitals in your area are equipped to handle stroke emergencies can make a significant difference in the quality of care you receive. It is highly encouraged to take the time to research and locate stroke-ready hospitals in your area so that you can be prepared in case of a stroke emergency. To check which hospitals in your area are stroke-ready, you may visit the Stroke Society of the Philippines website: strokesocietyphilippines.org.
Remember, time is of the essence when it comes to treating stroke, so don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if you or someone you know experiences symptoms.
Know more about Asian Hospital’s brain attack team and stroke treatments by calling our Asian Brain Institute at (02) 8771 9000 local 8444.
Sources:
- “Stroke Center Certification Program Requirements,” The Joint Commission, 2021. Available at: https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/standards/stroke-center-certification-program-requirements.pdf
- “Stroke Ready Hospital,” American Heart Association/American Stroke Association,2021. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/professional/quality-improvement/stroke-ready-hospital
- “Stroke Systems of Care,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/systems.html
- “Hospital Designation as a Primary Stroke Center or Acute Stroke Ready Hospital,” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2021. Available at:https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Hospital-Designation-Primary-Stroke-Center-or-Acute-Stroke-Ready-Hospital
- Designation Criteria for Comprehensive Stroke Centers,” The Joint Commission, 2021. Available at: https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/standards/designation-criteria-for-comprehensive-stroke-centers.pdf
- “Stroke-Ready Hospitals: What You Need to Know,” Healthgrades, 2021. Available at: https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/stroke/stroke-ready-hospitals-what-you-need-to-know
- “Stroke-Ready Hospital Guidelines,” American College of Emergency Physicians, 2015. Available at: https://www.acep.org/globalassets/uploads/uploaded-files/acep/clinical-and-practice-management/resources/stroke-ready-hospital-guidelines.pdf