STROKE PROGRAM
Continuum of Care
Beverly Hospital Stroke Program
978 922-3000, ext. 3278
The Stroke Program at Northeast Hospitals encompasses the full
continuum of care related to Stroke.
Community Education
Interacting with community members before a stroke occurs is an
important part of what we do. With emphasis on stroke recognition,
we work to help community members identify when they or someone
near them may be experiencing stroke symptoms and teach them to act
FAST to obtain treatment without delay. Many patients delay
treatment for stroke symptoms, either because they do not recognize
them as being something serious, or they hope the symptoms will go
away on their own. It is important for anyone experiencing
stroke-like symptoms, even if they go away within a few minutes, to
access Emergency Care immediately.
Pre-Hospital Care
We work with our Pre-hospital providers (EMTs & Paramedics)
to improve the transition from home to hospital. When we know a
stroke patient is coming in by ambulance, we can initiate care more
quickly when they arrive. When a call comes in from an ambulance
en-route with a possible acute stroke patient, the Stroke Team is
activated and the process begins to rapidly assess and treat the
patient. Collaboration with our local EMS providers is critical in
starting the process before the patient even arrives at the
Emergency Department. When our pre-hospital providers know what we
do and how they can impact patient care, the system becomes for
effective and efficient.
Emergency Department
The Emergency Department (ED) is where the determination is made
whether a patient will qualify for Thrombolytics (clot-busting
drugs) for stroke treatment. Time is of the essence when a
stroke-patient arrives at the ED. The goal of 60 minutes from door
to treatment, if a patient is to recieve thrombolytics, includes a
full work-up to ensure they meet criteria for this potentially
life-altering treatment.
Inpatient Units
Stroke management goes beyond the possibility of Thrombolytics
for most Stroke patients. Management of Stroke and TIA includes
working to ensure all patients receive the evaluation and
management for stroke risk factors. Secondary prevention is an
important aspect of stroke care to prevent those TIAs from becoming
a stroke, or strokes from re-occurring. Stroke education, creating
and maintaining systems of care, monitoring of how well we do, and
making recommendations for improvement are all areas the Stroke
Program tries to affect.
Discharge
There are many things that can be affected related to stroke
care that can occur after discharge. Ensuring the best possible
care is provided for our patients throughout their stay and beyond
is an important stroke program goal. Developing systems to better
communicate with post-discharge provider for stroke care and
rehabilitation makes for a smoother transition from hospital to
rehabilitation and home. Stroke education provided to patients and
families can impact the risks of having a cerebrovascular event
from reoccurring, and help them understand the prognosis for
treatment. The program also works with all healthcare providers to
promote "Best Practices" for stroke care throughout the continuum
of care.
