7
877-CENTEGRA
/
GETHEALTHY.CENTEGRA.ORG
Call 877-CENTEGRA to
schedule a $129 vascular
screening, or visit
centegra.org/
screenings
to learn more.
W
hen stroke strikes, the first need is
for speed. Fast action can save brain
tissue, reduce disability and enhance
recovery.
As certified stroke centers, Centegra
hospitals are ready to help with emergency
treatment, follow-up care and rehabilitation.
“One of Centegra’s strengths is that we
are able to offer so much to our stroke
patients from the ER to their stays in the
hospital to after they leave the hospital,”
says Hsiong Chen, MD, director of stroke
services. “Centegra really has a very
complete package.”
SPECIALISTS STANDING BY
That package includes in-house
neurologists, called neurohospitalists, at
Centegra Hospital–McHenry and Centegra
Hospital–Woodstock.
One of two neurohospitalists, either Dr.
Chen or Jimmy Nguyen, MD, is always on
hand or only a short distance away.
“Because we are based primarily in
the hospital, we are more available for
emergency issues,” says Dr. Chen.
TEAMWORK = FAST ACTION
However, stroke care doesn’t start with
a neurohospitalist. It often begins when
emergency medical technicians alert
the hospital that a person with stroke
symptoms is en route.
Acting on that call, emergency
department staff gets ready to quickly
perform blood work, brain scans and other
assessments. After an exam, the ER doctor
Certified stroke care
at Centegra
and the neurohospitalist determine if the
patient is a good candidate for blood-clot-
busting drugs.
These medications can be very effective
at restoring blood flow to the brain if they
are given within three hours of symptom
onset.
“The ER staff, nurses, lab techs,
everybody works as quickly as they can,”
says Dr. Nguyen. “Everything must go
together smoothly because every second
counts.”
POST-EMERGENCY CARE
After the ER, a hospitalist ensures the
patient’s safe transition to the next level of
care as a hospital inpatient. When it’s time,
the hospitalist also oversees the patient’s
discharge from the hospital.
For many patients, the next stop is
Centegra’s in-house rehabilitation unit. Others
go home and have outpatient neuro-rehab at
the Centegra Neuro-Rehabilitation Center.
In addition, most stroke survivors will see
a clinic-based neurologist, such as Timothy
Upchurch, MD, of Centegra Physician Care.
Such follow-up care is needed to help
people control ongoing risk factors, manage
medications and otherwise avoid another
stroke, Dr. Upchurch says.
STAY A STEP AHEAD
OF STROKE
Despite the availability of excellent
treatment at Centegra’s certified stroke
centers, it’s still preferable to avoid a stroke
in the first place.
“The best way to do
this is to control your
risk factors of high
blood pressure, diabetes
and high cholesterol,”
Dr. Upchurch says. Your
primary care physician
can help.
In addition, Centegra
offers screening tests that
may point to vascular
problems and stroke risk
(see page 22). Ask your
doctor if you should be
tested. The screening
package includes:
w
Carotid artery
ultrasound
w
Ankle-brachial index
w
Electrocardiogram
SPOT THE SIGNS
Whatever your personal
stroke risk, be ready to
act fast if you or someone
near you shows signs of a
stroke. Symptoms include
sudden:
w
Drooping on one side of the face
w
Trouble speaking
w
Numbness or weakness in one arm or leg
w
Confusion or severe headache
If you see these signs, call 911
immediately. Remember, Centegra is
ready to help. Call
877-CENTEGRA
to
schedule a $129 vascular screening, or visit
centegra.org/screenings
to learn more.
Timothy
Upchurch, MD
Jimmy
Nguyen, MD
Hsiong Chen,
MD
