Mercy Health— Lourdes Hospital, accredited for stroke care, is committed to providing the community with high-quality stroke treatment and care. Last year, Lourdes Hospital was successfully recertified as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, demonstrating continuous compliance with performance standards set by the Joint Commission.
In 2022, Mercy Health— Lourdes Hospital underwent a rigorous on-site review by a Joint Commission reviewer to assess compliance with Advanced Primary Stroke Center standards across various areas, including emergency management and timely treatment of stroke patients. This accreditation underscores the hospital's dedication to excellence in stroke care and ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
A stroke is a medical emergency that can occur anywhere, from your street to your workplace or a store where you shop. Recognizing the signs of a stroke and acting quickly can make a significant difference in saving a life or preventing long-term disability. Elizabeth Garrett, DNP, APRN, with Mercy Health— Lourdes Hospital, encourages everyone to know stroke risk factors, including age, gender, ethnicity, and family history.
To help the community recognize the warning signs of a stroke, Garrett highlights the "BE FAST" acronym, saying, “Remember these six steps if you suspect someone of experiencing a stroke,
1. B - Balance: Check if the person suddenly loses balance or coordination. Look for signs of dizziness, trouble walking, or lack of coordination.
2. E - Eyes: Check for sudden vision loss or double vision. Ask the person if they are experiencing any changes in their vision, such as blurred vision or seeing double.
3. F - Face: Check if one side of the face droops. Ask the person to smile and see if their smile is uneven.
4. A - Arms: Check if one arm drifts downward when raised. Ask the person to raise both arms and see if one arm drifts down.
5. S - Speech: Check if the speech is slurred or strange. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence and listen for speech difficulties.
6. T - Time: Time is crucial in stroke treatment. If you notice any of these signs, immediately call emergency services and note when the symptoms started. Early intervention is critical in stroke recovery.
“If you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone else, it is crucial to call 911 and seek immediate medical attention,” says Garrett.
Garrett also wants the public to remember that “Time is Brain,” meaning the human nervous tissue is rapidly lost as the stroke progresses and emergent evaluation and therapy are required. “We have exciting ways that we can reverse the potentially debilitating effects of a stroke, including TNK and thrombectomy, but all these interventions require evaluation and scans within about three hours, so time really is of the essence.”
Mercy Health— Lourdes Hospital offers a comprehensive stroke risk assessment on its website to help individuals assess their risk factors and take proactive steps toward stroke prevention. By raising awareness about stroke symptoms and emphasizing the importance of timely intervention, the hospital aims to empower the community to prioritize their brain health and well-being.
In 2022, Mercy Health— Lourdes Hospital underwent a rigorous on-site review by a Joint Commission reviewer to assess compliance with Advanced Primary Stroke Center standards across various areas, including emergency management and timely treatment of stroke patients. This accreditation underscores the hospital's dedication to excellence in stroke care and ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
A stroke is a medical emergency that can occur anywhere, from your street to your workplace or a store where you shop. Recognizing the signs of a stroke and acting quickly can make a significant difference in saving a life or preventing long-term disability. Elizabeth Garrett, DNP, APRN, with Mercy Health— Lourdes Hospital, encourages everyone to know stroke risk factors, including age, gender, ethnicity, and family history.
To help the community recognize the warning signs of a stroke, Garrett highlights the "BE FAST" acronym, saying, “Remember these six steps if you suspect someone of experiencing a stroke,
1. B - Balance: Check if the person suddenly loses balance or coordination. Look for signs of dizziness, trouble walking, or lack of coordination.
2. E - Eyes: Check for sudden vision loss or double vision. Ask the person if they are experiencing any changes in their vision, such as blurred vision or seeing double.
3. F - Face: Check if one side of the face droops. Ask the person to smile and see if their smile is uneven.
4. A - Arms: Check if one arm drifts downward when raised. Ask the person to raise both arms and see if one arm drifts down.
5. S - Speech: Check if the speech is slurred or strange. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence and listen for speech difficulties.
6. T - Time: Time is crucial in stroke treatment. If you notice any of these signs, immediately call emergency services and note when the symptoms started. Early intervention is critical in stroke recovery.
“If you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone else, it is crucial to call 911 and seek immediate medical attention,” says Garrett.
Garrett also wants the public to remember that “Time is Brain,” meaning the human nervous tissue is rapidly lost as the stroke progresses and emergent evaluation and therapy are required. “We have exciting ways that we can reverse the potentially debilitating effects of a stroke, including TNK and thrombectomy, but all these interventions require evaluation and scans within about three hours, so time really is of the essence.”
Mercy Health— Lourdes Hospital offers a comprehensive stroke risk assessment on its website to help individuals assess their risk factors and take proactive steps toward stroke prevention. By raising awareness about stroke symptoms and emphasizing the importance of timely intervention, the hospital aims to empower the community to prioritize their brain health and well-being.