The statistics related to stroke speak for themselves – every 45 seconds someone in America has a stroke, and every three minutes someone dies of one. Immediate and specialized treatment is a key element in stroke survival, minimizing the damage and maximizing the quality of life of a stroke victim.
When a stroke happens, the countdown begins. “Time is brain” is a common phrase used by the Barnes-Jewish Stroke Management and Rehabilitation Team (SMART), a group of specialists who bring unique expertise and exceptional care to help stroke patients. There is a limited window of opportunity for the rapid response stroke team to assess a patient’s situation, individualize the treatment and administer the clot-busting medications. The team has developed a process of “door-to-needle” that is rapid and seamless, resulting in:
- Improved patient care
- Reduced morbidity and mortality among patients
- Reduced costs
- Increased use of acute stroke therapies
- Improved long-term outcomes
- Increased patient satisfaction
Barnes-Jewish Hospital is dedicated to providing its patients with the most comprehensive care when it comes to stroke treatment and prevention:
- The fastest “door to needle” response, offering clot-busting medication in record time
- One of the few area hospitals to have a designated Level 1 Comprehensive Stroke Center.
- The first hospital in the St. Louis area to receive Primary Stroke Center certification
- The SMART healthcare team participates in bi-monthly conferences, education beginning the first day of diagnosis and ongoing education to patients, families, referring physicians and the community.
To find out more about the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Stroke Center, visit us online at Stroke/Cerebrovascular Disease or call 314-TOP-DOCS (314-867-3627) or toll-free 866-867-3627.\
Other topics in the Real Science, Real Innovation series:
November: Lung Cancer
December: Pancreatic Cancer
January: Stroke TPA Treatment
February: Heart Attack and STEMI
March: Colon Cancer
April: Atrial Fibrillation
May: Hemorrhagic Stroke
June: Breast Cancer
July: Leukemia
August: Stroke
September: Prostate Cancer
October: Neurosurgery