Advanced Primary Stroke Center

In February 2008, Alvarado Hospital earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from the Joint Commission for primary stroke centers. Despite the prevalence of strokes, only about 150 of the nation's 7,000-plus hospitals has received this recognition.

• Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the nation
• Each year, about 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke
• On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes
• Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today.

In July 2009, Alvarado Hospital achieved the Gold Performance Achievement Award Recognition for implementing the American Stroke Association's Get With the Guidelines-Stroke Program. The award recognizes Alvarado Hospital's commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment for at least 24 months, according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.

 

With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and the Get With The Guidelines (GWTG)–Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award addresses the important element of time in the emergency room. Alvarado Hospital has developed a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department. This includes always being equipped to provide brain imaging scans, having neurologists available to conduct patient evaluations and using clot-busting medications when appropriate.

 

To receive the Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award, Alvarado Hospital demonstrated 85% adherence in the key measures for 24 or more consecutive months. These include aggressive use of medications like tPA, antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol-reducing drugs, and smoking cessation.

• Call 911 immediately if you or a loved one have any of these symptoms.
• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg—especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

• Emergency Care: rapid assessment, intervention and management of acute stroke
  • Neurologist and neurosurgery coverage 24/7 in affiliation with UCSD Medical Center.
  • Alvarado Hospital has two onsite neurology professors for managing strokes.
  • Telemedicine: The emergency department was the first in East County to be equipped with a state-of-the-art neuro camera for complete evaluation of the stroke patient. This allows physicians to immediately log on to a secure Web site, evaluate the stroke patient and expedite treatment remotely.
  • Coordinated care with emergency medical services (EMS) ensures that treatment begins in the field.
  • Stroke code procedures are initiated to ensure rapid neurological imaging, laboratory testing and preparation of thrombolytic, neuroprotective and antiplatelet agents.
  • Ability to administer intravenous tPA
  • One of a very small number of sites in the country involved in a study of TNK, a clot-busting agent that may reduce the risk of bleeding associated with tPA.

• Inpatient Care: medical stabilization and start of rehabilitation process
  • Designated inpatient beds for stroke care with telemetry-monitoring capabilities
  • ICU beds for those who have received tPA or with significant strokes.
  • Written protocols with evidence-based guidelines
  • Inpatient nursing staff with special training in stroke care
  • Dedicated care coordinators to coordinate care and discharge to home
  • Rehabilitation services include occupational, physical therapists and speech-language pathologists.

• Support Service
  • Stroke Peer Visitor Program, which matches a former stroke patient and with a new stroke survivor for support and encouragement.
  • Comebackers Neuro Club, which is a monthly club that provides activities, support and recreational therapeutic opportunities for stroke survivors and their loved ones.

• Education
  • Annual community stroke education and awareness outreach activities
  • Every stroke patient receives a stroke education information packet
  • Ongoing professional programs and conferences for health professionals

• Patient Outcomes
  • Ongoing measurement and tracking of stroke patient outcomes with a quality care improvement plan/process in place
  • The American Stroke Association has awarded Alvarado Hospital its "Get With the Guidelines" Stroke Gold Achievement Award for implementing a level of care in accordance with nationally accepted standards and recommendations and the

    the Joint Commission has awarded the hospital the Gold Seal of Approval™ for primary stroke centers. Despite the prevalence of strokes, only about 150 of the nation's 7,000-plus hospitals has received this recognition.

• Comprehensive Acute Rehabilitation
  • Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today. Located on the Alvarado Hospital campus, the San Diego Rehabitation Institute is a regional referral center for patients in need of comprehensive rehabilitation services. Its dedicated inpatient care is provided by physiatrists and rehab nurses who specialize in stroke rehabilitation. In addition, the rehabilitation institute offers the following: 
    • Individualized treatment plans for stroke survivors and their families.
    • Multidisciplinary teams, including physical, occupational and recreational therapists; social workers; and speech-language pathologists.
    • Dedicated interdisciplinary neuro-team for providing outpatient rehabilitation services.