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Newswise ANN ARBOR, Mich. When car crash victims suffer serious injuries, emergency crews often get them to trauma centers for the advanced care they need. That same concept has come to stroke care, as evidence grows that coordinated, advanced treatment can make a huge difference for patients who suffer a brain attack.
Recently, the University of Michigan Health System earned the nations highest designation for stroke care, after a thorough inspection and review by the organization that certifies such programs. Only 70 other hospitals in the country have achieved this elite status.
U-Ms Comprehensive Stroke Program now holds the official certification of Comprehensive Stroke Center, granted by the Joint Commission accrediting organization and recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.
The team, the team, the team
The new designation means UMHS has highly trained hospital teams and technologies ready at a moments notice, around the clock, 365 days a year. They have trained and prepared to act together, giving each patient the best options for treatment.
This includes the ability to rapidly diagnose what is causing each patients stroke symptoms, using advanced medical imaging when necessary. It also includes the ability to deliver time-critical treatments and procedures to dissolve blood clots in the brain, to remove stubborn clots or repair the source of bleeding in the brain.
UMHS even has a unique surgical room where a CT scan of the head can be performed in the same room where doctors can remove clots from vessels or repair brain aneurysms. This improves care and safety, and saves precious time.
The certification also means advanced care beyond the crucial first hours after a stroke strikes including inpatient care within University Hospital and the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, individualized rehabilitation and outpatient care once stroke survivors have left the hospital, and top care for patients at high risk of a stroke.
Read more here:
Taking Stroke Care to the Next Level: U-M Earns Elite Status