Stroke Services

BE FAST in the Event of a Stroke

During a stroke, time is brain. Recognizing the signs of the stroke and getting help quickly is critical to ensuring the best possible outcomes.

Balance off?
Eyes – unclear vision?
Face drooping?
Arm/leg weakness?
Slurred speech?
Time lost is brain lost.

BE FAST for Stroke

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die in minutes. A stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment is crucial. Early action can reduce brain damage and other complications. The good news is that fewer Americans die of stroke now than in the past. Effective treatments can also help prevent disability from stroke.

Types of Strokes

There are two primary types of stroke: hemorrhagic and ischemic. In a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel breaks. In an ischemic stroke, a blood vessel becomes block. In either case, brain cells are deprived of the oxygen and nutrients they need.

When a person has shown symptoms of a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), a doctor will gather information to determine the type of stroke the patient has suffered, including:

Taking a medical history from you or a family member
Performing a physical and neurological examination
Ordering certain blood tests (labs)
Obtaining a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
Studying the results of these and any other diagnostic tests that might be needed

Stroke Treatment

For ischemic strokes: The goal of acute ischemic treatment is to keep the amount of brain injury as small as possible. This is done by restoring blood flow to the brain – either through the use of “clot buster” medication which is available for administration to eligible stroke patients within a window of up to 4.5 hours from the time they were last known to be well or by using a surgical catheter threaded through an artery in the groin or wrist up to the brain to prevent rupture. Additional medication may be used to treat the brain swelling that sometimes occurs after a stroke.

For hemorrhagic strokes: Medication is used to control high blood pressure to prevent bleeding from worsening and reduce brain swelling. For vascular abnormalities (such as aneurysms or AVMs), surgeries may include placing a metal clip at the base of an aneurysm or removing abnormal vessels.

Stroke Rehabilitation

Mosaic Rehabilitation Services are available in the hospital, inpatient rehab, home or outpatient facilities.

Physical Therapy: Focuses on helping with mobility, movement and strengthening of stroke-affected limbs.
Occupational Therapy: Focuses on regaining and adapting your ability to perform activities of daily living and self-care.
Speech Therapy: Focuses on cognitive, communication and swallowing abilities.

Mosaic is a Primary Stroke Center

Mosaic Life Care at St. Joseph - Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center and designated as a Level 2 Stroke Center by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service (MoDHSS).

That means we’re prepared to provide life-saving treatments with faster response times.

Because every second counts when a patient is having a stroke, Mosaic Life Care has committed to implementing the latest stroke technologies. Our new and improved stroke center includes a biplane medical device for both neurology and cardiology procedures, providing the capability for thrombectomies (clot retrieval procedures for stroke patients). In addition to thrombectomies, we’re now able to perform other lifesaving procedures such as carotid stenting and preventative angiograms in an interventional suite as opposed to an operating room.

Mosaic Stroke Team

Diagnosing and treating stroke requires a multidisciplinary team of experts equipped with the latest life-saving treatments and the tools to help patients recover to the fullest extent. Our team includes:

Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Department staff, physicians, advanced practice providers and RNs
Interventional neurologist
Neurologists
Neurosurgeons
Nursing units
Stroke Services (manager and coordinator)
Therapists (occupational, physical and speech)
Pharmacists
Radiology (CT/MRI Tech, radiologist)
Hospitalists

Recognize Your Stroke Risk

Take the Stroke Risk Quiz and download our Stroke Education Booklet to learn what factors affect your risk for a stroke. Then speak to your doctor or advanced practice provider.

Take the Stroke Risk Quiz

Download the Mosaic Stroke Education Booklet