Stroke Management and Rehabilitation Team
To help stroke patients and their families, as well as other physicians, hospitals and EMS personnel who work with stroke victims, Barnes-Jewish Hospital has developed a rapid response protocol . A rapid response team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The highly-trained team is made up of specialists who bring individual expertise and exceptional care from a variety of areas to help stroke patients.
Because so many stroke patients come to Barnes-Jewish through the Emergency Department, nurses and physicians are trained to recognize signs and symptoms of stroke and quickly begin the diagnosis and treatment. They notify the rapid response team, who continue the stroke examination and evaluation of the patient for different treatment options. Emergency Department staff starts the treatment and works closely with the team and other neuroscience staff to transition the patient to an inpatient care area.
Activating Rapid Response
Rapid response services may be requested by any department within the hospital, as well as any referring physician, hospital or EMS. Team members are trained to quickly determine what type of stroke a person has had (ischemic or hemorrhagic), as well as whether the patient is a candidate for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), intra-arterial intervention, or other acute treatment.
For stroke patients, time is crucial. Whether the initial call comes from one of the inpatient ICUs, or from an outside hospital’s Emergency Department wanting to transfer a potential stroke victim, the team strives to meet or exceed established timetables based on the national standard for strokes. Team members will continue their involvement in the patient's care from admission to discharge and beyond.
Advantages to Rapid Stroke Response
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Efficient and timely patient care
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Possibility of reduced morbidity and mortality among patients
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Possible reduced costs
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Greater change of improved long-term outcomes
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Increased patient satisfaction
If you suspect stroke, call 9-1-1 to activate rapid response services and transport to a Stroke Network hospital.
To find out more about the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Stroke Center, call 855.925.0631.