The Stroke Center at University Hospital can provide stroke patients with an aggressive and unique approach to the care of their specific emergency needs through a “fast track,” or priority protocol, and continuity of care in recovery and follow-up.

Fast Track: Unique Training for EMS

The Stroke Center operates as part of the University Hospital Emergency Department. Working closely with Louisville Metro Emergency Medical Services, the Stroke Center has been involved in training EMS professionals to identify victims of potential stroke. EMS personnel en route to University Hospital with a stroke patient contact the Emergency Department. Upon arrival, the patient is met at the emergency room door by a Stroke Center team member and emergency room personnel. The team includes neurologists, emergency room doctors, nurses and other medical professionals specially trained in the area of stroke.

Unlike other area health care providers, a neurologist is in-house at University Hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the Stroke Center Team is supported by around-the-clock radiology support (MRI, CAT scan, etc.).

Fast Track: Rapid Assessment

The Stroke Center provides immediate evaluation of patients with suspected stroke with rapid examination, laboratory studies, cardiac tests, and state-of-the-art imaging studies performed within minutes of arrival in the emergency room. Within 30 minutes of the patient’s arrival, the Stroke Center Team can perform the following:

• patient history
• neurological exam
• blood tests
• CAT scan

Fast Track: Rapid Treatment

When the onset of symptoms is within three hours and the initial assessment indicates a patient is having an ischemic stroke, clot-busting drugs, or “thrombolytics,” can be administered within the emergency room. In some instances, these drugs can reverse the effects of stroke.

Following emergency care, each stroke patient is cared for and monitored on a daily basis by an individual team of professionals during hospitalization. This team approach ensures thorough communication among team members about each patient’s individual needs and progress.

Rehabilitation

Stroke patients at University Hospital have access to a comprehensive range of stroke recovery services through in-house rehabilitation specialists. Physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and social workers assist patients as they recover physical and mental functions affected by a stroke. Rehabilitation begins at bedside during hospitalization, almost immediately following patient stabilization, and continues through out-patient services.

The progress of each patient is monitored and evaluated by the interdisciplinary Stroke Team during hospitalization and out-patient follow-up. Our goal is to maximize each patient’s ability to function as independently as possible based on his or her individual stroke.