Dominican is a Primary Stroke Center Program
Dominican Hospital has been certified by the Joint Commission (the leading accreditation organization nationwide) as a Primary Stroke Center Program, giving Central Coast residents a coordinated response and specialized care 24 hours a day to America’s No. 3 killer.
“We here at Dominican are prepared,” said Josh Novic, MD, neurologist and a member of Dominican Hospital’s Medical Staff. “We have systems in place for treating stroke rapidly and getting people to the appropriate therapy. The Joint Commission certification verifies that our care of stroke patients is efficient and quick, and the key in stroke care is rapid assessment and treatment.”
In fact, it’s essential that stroke victims are treated within three hours of the onset of symptoms, said. Michael Gansaeuer, MD, neurologist, also a member of Dominican’s Medical Staff.
"The only treatment that really changes the outcome of a stroke is to give a medication, tPA, that opens up the blood clot,” he said. “It can only be given in the first three hours, and it’s a very dangerous medication to administer if a patient has a hemorrhage of the brain. So before we can give it, we have to get a CT scan and a standardized protocol of tests.”
For certification as a Primary Stroke Center Program, Dominican must guarantee that a Rapid Response Team is always available, Emergency Department staff are all experts in the care and transport of stroke patients; and neurology, and CT scans and lab services are available 24/7.
Continuum of Care Following Stroke
Along with aggressive treatment of stroke, Dominican offers a continuum of care that includes rehabilitation and therapy...and stroke prevention. What Dominican provides is a coordinated network of health care professionals-all trained in treating stroke and maximizing recovery. Within 12 hours, therapists and other rehabilitation specialists assess every stroke patient at Dominincan to develop a personalized care and recovery plan.
The Dominican Rehabilitation Center (ARU), our nursing and rehab unit dedicated to advanced stroke care, offers homelike dining and living situations to gauge readiness for independent living. The ARU gym/therapy center is staffed by therapists licensed in stroke care.
At Dominican, multi-disciplinary care is available whenever stroke happens.
