The Components of Quality Comprehensive Stroke Care

The Comprehensive Stroke Program takes a holistic approach, emphasizing patient-centered, quality healthcare that addresses the physical, mental, spiritual and social needs of the people served. Alexian Brothers Health System encourages patients and families to participate in their care. Because stroke has a strong pattern of recurrence, we provide a full spectrum of care to substantially reduce our patients’ future stroke risk. This includes guidance and education in making necessary lifestyle changes, medications, and in some cases, recommending precautionary surgery. We are committed to providing all services in a safe and comfortable environment.

Our comprehensive program’s multidisciplinary stroke team works quickly to provide advanced, nationally recognized acute stroke care that applies the latest knowledge and technology toward minimizing or reversing potential stroke complications. Our quality stroke care includes:

• Emergency department personnel trained in diagnosing and treating acute stroke
• Evidence-based protocols directing the care of our complex stroke patients
• Acute stroke treatment ranging from tPA, Interventional Neuroradiology, and/or Neurosurgery
• Access to cutting edge treatments through clinical trials
• Advanced imaging
• Dedicated stroke unit and neuro-intensive care staffed by physicians and nurses trained and experienced in caring for complex stroke patients
• Inpatient rehabilitation team
• Stroke nurse navigation program to ease the patient’s transition from hospital to home
• Extensive continuing education on advanced stroke treatment and care for physicians and nurses.
• Quality improvement activities to monitor patient outcomes
• Community outreach programs aimed at increasing stroke awareness and prevention

Advances in Stroke Treatment and Prevention through Clinical Research Trials

The Alexian Brothers Health System is committed to providing the highest quality stroke care. To do this, our dedicated neurosciences team is determined to uncover advances in stroke prevention and treatment by actively participating in stroke clinical trials. This gives our patients access to select treatments before they are widely available.

One of our current trials is the Interventional Management of Stroke III (IMS III)—a multi-center study funded by the National Institutes of Health comparing the effectiveness, safety, and financial impact of a combined intravenous (IV) and intra-arterial treatment approach to restoring blood flow to the brain versus a single treatment of IV therapy alone. Alexian Brothers Medical Center enrolled its first patient in December 2006 and continues to actively enroll new patients.

“We are very enthusiastic about this important stroke trial and are pleased to be able to actively contribute to the evidence driving stroke care,” says Dr. Tim Malisch, Director of Interventional Neuroradiology at Alexian Brothers Medical Center.