Advanced Stroke Center

Stroke, a sudden impairment of cerebral circulation in one or more blood vessels, is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of disability in adults. About 700,000 strokes occur each year. Prevention and preparedness help decrease the incidence of stroke.

Because every second counts, valuable time – and lives – can be saved when paramedics can transport stroke patients directly to a primary stroke center like Methodist Hospital.

Methodist Hospital is an approved stroke center in LA County with advanced capabilities to care for stroke victims and is approved by The Joint Commission as an advanced primary stroke center. Methodist Hospital uses a multidisciplinary stroke team system that includes the emergency physician, neurologist, neurosurgeon, radiologist, attending physician, nurse practitioner, nurse educator, registered nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist and speech therapist.

Normally, paramedics take stroke patients to the nearest hospital, but some patients must be transferred again for advanced treatment. If stroke patients are within 30 minutes of a stroke center that can diagnose and treat stroke patients with the latest evidenced-based medicine, paramedics will take them to that facility. However, people must know to call 911 as soon as someone around them begins to show signs of stroke.

“Time loss is brain loss,” said Kenneth Wogensen, MD, medical director of the hospital’s stroke center. “A lot of education still needs to go out to the community about the signs and symptoms of stroke and the importance to activate 911.”

In June 2010, Methodist Hospital was designated a “Get With the Guidelines – Stroke Bronze Performance Achievement Award Hospital” by the American Heart Association. This means that the hospital has met stringent AHA guidelines “to improve quality of patient care and outcomes” for stroke patients.