When it Comes to Stroke Care, Every Second Counts

Every moment a stroke isn’t being treated, brain function is being lost. Call 911 immediately if you notice any or all of the following symptoms:

• Drooping or numbness in one side of the face
• Weakness and/or numbness in one arm
• Slurred speech or speaking that is difficult to understand
• Dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Sudden loss of balance and/or coordination
• Difficulty with motor function (i.e. walking, lifting objects, etc)
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability. By calling 911, emergency response experts, specially trained to recognize stroke victims will immediately begin the process of stroke evaluation, which helps prevent disability.

A Dedicated Stroke Care Team

Our stroke team has received a certificate of distinction by the American Stroke Association for Outstanding Achievement in Stroke Care and is certified by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. The Joint Commission also awarded Grand View its Gold Seal of Approval™. These distinctions were earned through our approach to stroke care, which includes:

• Emergency Response Experts
  Staff members skilled at spotting and evaluating stroke victims.
• Emergency Department-Based Stroke Team
  Physicians and nurses specially trained in diagnosing, treating and managing stroke.
• Cardiologists
  Physicians specially trained to detect stroke risk and secondary stroke prevention management.
• Hospitalists
  Physicians, in coordination with the stroke team, supervise inpatient care and are available in the hospital 24 hours a day.
• Neurologists
  Physicians specially trained in the identification and treatment of stroke.
• Stroke Program Coordinator
  A registered nurse who oversees the standards of care for acute stroke patients. This coordinator also assists in providing education to the Stroke Program nursing staff as well as to you, your family, and community members.
• Nursing Staff
  Registered nurses skilled in monitoring, treating, and managing stroke.

Diagnosis

Grand View Health uses a Stroke Alert process for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke. By calling 911, specially trained EMS teams allow for early testing, evaluation and treatment by stroke trained emergency physicians and neurologists with 24-hour availability.

Diagnostic tests include:

• Lab Testing
• CAT Scan: used for initial evaluation of the brain
• MRI/MRA (Magnetic resonance imaging/angiogram): gives a more detailed image of the brain tissue and brain vessels to look for stroke or blockages
• CTA (Computed tomography angiogram): evaluates the brain and neck blood vessels to further evaluate blockages
• CT Perfusion: helps to evaluate brain tissue at risk
• Telemedicine Services

Treatment

Grand View Health and St. Luke’s University Health Network announced services at Grand View’s certified Primary Stroke Center will be provided by neurologists from St. Luke’s beginning Feb. 18, 2025.

Neurologists from St. Luke’s will be onsite at the Sellersville hospital seven days a week to provide inpatient care with emergency consults handled through Telestroke technology.

• St. Luke’s works closely with local EMS to shave precious time from the stroke care process.
• St. Luke’s provides the most effective stroke therapies, including IV TNK (thrombolysis) and intra-arterial thrombectomy available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• St. Luke’s takes a multidisciplinary team approach to stroke care to address the needs of each individual patient and their family.
• St. Luke’s uses iSchemaView RAPID™ to generate maps of damaged brain tissue to help determine treatment options. This imaging platform software works with CT perfusion scans to produce clear images of the brain and evaluate blood flow in patients who have had an acute ischemic stroke. By comparing flow in different parts of the brain, doctors can select those patients who will most benefit from thrombectomy, even if it’s up to 24 hours from the onset of stroke.

St. Luke’s Teleneurology Program expands access for patients who require inpatient neurological evaluation. Visits with providers are facilitated through secure, HIPAA-compliant connections, and examinations include enhanced cameras and assistance from a dedicated neurology-trained advanced practice provider who is on location with the patient.

• Stroke Rehabilitation Services
  Includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, and swallowing therapy. Stroke therapies available in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Inpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy staff trained to evaluate and begin stroke treatment during your hospital stay.

Follow-Up Care

Individualized plan for follow up can may include:

• Case Management, Social Services & Home Health Care
  Professionals assigned to you to assist you and your family with discharge needs.
• A Carefully Planned Stroke Recovery Strategy
  A stroke recovery plan that starts at your admission, Grand View’s Stroke Program team helps you and your family understand your stroke recovery plan. We watch you closely for changes, so we can spot risk factors and help prevent further problems.
• Home Care and Case Management
• Outpatient PM&R Department Services 
• Inpatient Rehab
  Grand View Health’s Acute Inpatient Rehab unit offers a intense physical rehab program offering a dedicated stroke trained physical therapist, occupational therapist and speech therapist, along with 24 hour care by registered nurses.

Grand View Health’s stroke program coordinator oversees the entire program, facilitating the most advanced stroke care delivery. For further questions please call the stroke program coordinator at 215-453-4314.