Stroke Care Overview
St. Louise Regional Hospital was the first hospital in the Bay Area to achieve Joint Commission certification as Primary Stroke Center using a telemedicine program, giving us a depth expertise to ensure you get the best treatment possible.
Telemedicine uses high-definition cameras and videoconferencing technology to connect patients with offsite stroke specialists. When you come to the St. Louise emergency department with stroke symptoms, you will see a neurologist through videoconference immediately so emergency room physicians can provide quick, effective treatment.
Advantages of receiving stroke treatment at St. Louise include:
- Faster treatment: The teleneurology program at St. Louise offers a faster response than waiting to see an on-site or on-call neurologist at another hospital. Our program provides 24-hour coverage for the emergency department and hospitalized patients.
- Award-winning stroke care: Our Stroke program received the Gold Plus, Get With the Guidelines award from the American Stroke Association. The Joint Commission has also certified our Stroke program. These awards recognize our commitment to rapid, effective care and improved patient outcomes.
- Highly skilled team: Our teleneurology program provides 24/7 access to board-certified neurologists who specialize in acute stroke. St. Louise’s experienced team of physicians work closely with these experts to provide rapid stroke treatment.
Stroke Diagnosis
Stroke is a medical emergency which requires rapid identification. Stroke recognition is key in the delivery of timed interventions available.
A simple way to remember the warning signs of a stroke is the acronym BEFAST.
Call 911 for SUDDEN onset of:
- BALANCE: Sudden loss of balance or difficulty walking
- EYES: Sudden trouble seeing, double vision or vision change in one or both eyes
- FACE: Sudden facial droop, loss of movement, numbness or tingling on one side of the face
- ARM: Sudden weakness, numbness or tingling in one arm or leg
- SPEECH: Sudden difficulty speaking, slurred speech or confusion
- TERRIBLE HEADACHE: Sudden severe headache with no known cause
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF STROKE
BEFAST
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Watch External Video*A stroke occurs when circulation of blood and nutrients to the brain fails. There are two basic categories of stroke: ischemic stroke which is caused by a blockage of blood flow and hemorrhagic stroke which is caused by bleeding in or around the brain.
Some people have stroke symptoms that last only for a short time and then go away on their own. This is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is a sign that you have a serious medical problem, that is likely to progress to a stroke in the future. Anyone experiencing signs of a stroke or detect warning signs of a stroke in someone else, should call 9-1-1 immediately.
Patient Story
Hear stroke survivor, Margaret, share her story about stroke care at St. Louise Regional Hospital.
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Watch External Video*Stroke Treatment
People who have symptoms of a stroke need to call 911 immediately. At St. Louise Regional Hospital, our emergency department stroke team are specially trained to quickly deliver lifesaving drugs such as intravenous alteplase (IV tPA), a clot-busting drug administered directly into your vein, to stroke patients. The prompt medical attention of our trained technicians and staff prevents potential complications and disabilities. Stroke treatments that our physicians recommend include medication such as IV tPA and surgery based on the type of stroke and the severity of the symptoms.
The goals of treatment are to:
- Prevent life-threatening complications
- Prevent future strokes
- Reduce the risk of disability
- Prevent long-term complications
Contact Us
For more information about our stroke program, call the St. Louise stroke coordinator at (408) 848-8607.
Did You Know
Teleneurology uses high-definition cameras and a secure telemedicine platform to provide 24/7 access to board-certified stroke specialists. Seeing a stroke specialist through our teleneurology program is faster than having to see a neurologist onsite or on-call.