Stroke

Stroke is a serious, life threatening condition that requires immediate medical care. The appropriateness and speed of medical care you recieve can mean the difference between recovery and severe neurological damage. The new CODE STROKE PROGRAM at SGMC offers superior care for those in our area and surrounding communities.

In accordance with a nationally accepted standard of stroke care, the CODE STROKE PROGRAM, which specifies that tPA (tissue plasminogen activator - a clot busting medication) be giving within three hours of the stroke's onset, if the patient is a candidate for tPA.  SGMC has created a rapid-response team, similar to that available with cardiac arrest patients.  The stroke team is avaliable within minutes to care for these patients both in the Emergency Room or those that are inpatients.

A stroke, also called a  "brain attack," occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, causing an interruption in the flow of blood to an area of the brain.  This interruption causes brain cells to begin to die and brain damage occurs. When the cells die and brain damage occurs three abilities including speech, movement and memory can be affected.  Depending where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged determines the severity of the affects of the stroke on a person.

Some of the most common signs/symptoms of stroke are:  

• SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body. 
• SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. 
• SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes. 
• SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. 
• SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause.

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you have any of these symptoms!

The members of the Code Stroke team include:

• Emergency Response Personnel 
• Emergency Department nurses and physicians
• Code Stroke Medical Director and Neurologist, Brian Dawson, MD
• SGMC Medical Staff (varies according to specific patient needs)

With early intervention treatments in our Emergency Room to a 24-bed Rehabilitation Unit located on 2 North, SGMC provides comprehensive care to help patients that have suffered from a stroke regain strength, function, mobility and their independence.

Annual Stroke Symposium

Each year, SGMC's Rehabilitation department holds a Stroke Symposium. This symposium is held for patients, family members and caregivers of those recovering from a stroke.  The topics vary from year to year as do the speakers.  The symposium is free of charge, but registration is requried. In 2011 the Symposium was held in February. Notification of 2012 Stroke Symposium will be released late 2011.