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St. David’s Medical Center First in Central Texas To Earn Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification

April 18, 2013 in Stroke with 0 Comments

DNV_certified_comprehensive_strokeWhat does it mean to be a Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center?

  • Recognition by one of the leading accrediting agencies in the United States.
  • Comprehensive Stroke Centers offer the most advanced stroke treatment available in a given geographic region.
  • The hospital has met the nation’s highest standards in stroke care, an accomplishment that is a genuine team effort.
  • The hospital can provide services such as neurosurgery, neurocritical care and endovascular therapies for cerebrovascular diseases.
  • The level of certification determines where EMS providers will transport patients for the most appropriate medical care within state health department guidelines.
  • DNV Healthcare is the only hospital accreditation program approved by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that integrates the ISO 9001 Quality Management System with the Medicare Conditions of Participation. DNV’s National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (NIAHO) accreditation program requires hospitals to evaluate the continuum of patient care and take measured steps to improve, if warranted.
  • The DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification incorporates elements from its NIAHO hospital accreditation standards, as well as requirements from the Guidelines of the Brain Attack Coalition and Recommendations of the American Stroke Association.
  • In order to earn and maintain a Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification, the hospital must participate in the Medicare program and be in compliance with the conditions of participation, which may be demonstrated by maintaining accreditation with DNV or another CMS-approved accreditation organization.
  • The hospital will be visited annually to monitor the hospital’s adherence to patient safety criteria established by CMS and to evaluate processes that impact patient care across various departments and facilities of the hospital.

Congratulations to St. David’s Medical Center and NeuroTexas Institute on this outstanding accomplishment!

DNV Healthcare Inc. is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a part of Det Norske Veritas, a global independent foundation dedicated to safeguarding life, property and the environment. For more information about DNV Healthcare and its NIAHO hospital accreditation program, visit DNVAccreditation.com.

Life after a Stroke

April 8, 2013 in Stroke with 0 Comments

Mobility Garden at St. David’s Rehabilitation at North Austin Medical Center

Mobility Garden at St. David’s Rehabilitation at North Austin Medical Center

Stroke Facts
Strokes, also known as cerebrovascular events or brain attacks, are a leading cause of death in the United States. The most common types of strokes are classified as ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is occluded by a blood clot and accounts for 87% of all strokes. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is torn or bursts, leaking blood into the surrounding brain tissue and causing damage.

According to the CDC, every year close to 800,000 people in the United States suffer from a stroke. Approximately 34% of those occur in adults under the age of 65. Although adults over age 65 are generally considered to be most at risk for stroke, they do occur in children and younger adults as well.

The three primary risk factors for having a stroke include

  1. high blood pressure
  2. high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
  3. smoking

The CDC finds that half of all Americans have at least one of these three risk factors. Other serious risk factors include heart disease, diabetes, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use.

Life After a Stroke
During a stroke, blood is cut off from a certain area of the brain causing damage to that area. After a stroke, a patient may be left with residual problems, including: difficulty walking or performing physical activities, impaired muscle tone, difficulty speaking, sensation changes including pain or numbness, paralysis and an overall decreased independence in life.

However, having a stroke does not necessarily mean one must forego his or her interests and hobbies. Physical, occupational and speech therapists specialize in treating individuals who have suffered strokes and work with patients to regain lost functions. Rehabilitation provided by an interdisciplinary team provides the resources stroke survivors need to return to everyday life and interests such as: cycling, running, gardening – even skateboarding and driving.

Remember!
It is important to recognize the warning signs of a stroke and act immediately. The National Stroke Association urges you to act FAST.

F: Does one side of the Face droop?
A: Does one Arm drift downward?
S: Is their Speech slurred or strange?
T: Time is essential.

If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately.

- Deanna Hall, Physical Therapist
- Christine Jacobson, Student Physical Therapist
St. David’s Rehabilitation Neurological Day Program

 

 

Resources:

http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/docs/fs_strokesigns.pdf

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/poststrokerehab.htm

http://www.stroke.org/

3 Key Elements of Preventing Stroke


May 30, 2012 in Children, Community, Diet, Exercise, Heart, Lifestyle Tips, Stroke with 0 Comments

I hope that you found the May topic of Stroke Prevention helpful through either taking steps to lessen the risk for stroke or for knowing the stroke symptoms. Here are three key elements regarding stroke in what you can do for prevention and how to respond if stroke occurs in yourself or someone around you.

Prevention

  • 
Treat high blood pressure
  • Control diabetes
  • Stop smoking
  • Treat elevated cholesterol
  • 
Limit alcohol
  • 
Exercise
  • Risk of recurrent stroke
  • Medication compliance



Think Fast

Face

  • 
Facial droop
  • Uneven smile

Arms

  • Arm Numbness
  • 
Arm Weakness

Speech

  • Slurry Speech
  • Difficulty speaking or understanding

Time

  • Call 911 and get to the hospital immediately
  • Brain is Time. The quicker you get to the hospital the better your chances are

DASH Diet

The DASH Diet, Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension, can beneficially impact blood pressure which in turn lowers your risk for heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer. The DASH Diet uses recipes that use very little salt, whole grains and interesting ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables. Click here for the DASH shopping list which will help you on your trip to the grocery store.

Our next topic will be the Importance of Adolescent Heart Screening. If you have a young athlete in your life, this is the seminar for you! Join me at the St. David’s Round Rock Health & Wellness Center Thursday, June 14 from 6-7:30 pm to learn the importance of adolescent heart screening and how you can protect your child. Register by calling ( 512) 478-3627 or (888) 868-2104. I look forward to seeing you there!

Hope to see you there!

Holly Krivokapich

St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center

Health and Wellness Coordinator

5 Reasons the DASH Diet Could Help You!

May 21, 2012 in Community, Community Outreach, Diet, Heart, Lifestyle Tips, Recipes, Stroke, Weight Loss, Women with 0 Comments

  1. The DASH Diet (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) was voted one of the best diets by U.S. News and was reviewed by doctors and dietitians.
  2. Studies have found that following the DASH Diet can reduce your blood pressure as much as some medications.
  3. Is a great way to lower your fat intake!
  4. Makes it easy to eat those 5 fruits and veggies each day!
  5. Can help you reduce your overall calorie intake which may lead to weight loss!

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in America and Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability. A low sodium diet is essential to help decrease blood pressure….but there is more to the picture! Join me at the St. David’s Round Rock Health & Wellness Center Thursday, May 24th from 6-7:30 pm to learn how to make heart healthy foods taste great. Space is limited so call ( 512) 478-3627 or (888) 868-2104 to register today! I look forward to seeing you there!

Download Event Information

Tarie Beldin, RD, LD
St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center

 

Important Lifestyle Choices to Prevent Stroke

May 11, 2012 in Community, Lifestyle Tips, Stroke with 1 Comment

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Now that we have discussed the most common instigators of anger which puts you at risk for stroke and the symptoms of a stroke, what can you do about it? Dr. Adam Horvit spoke to the topic of stroke last night at the St. David’s Round Rock Health and Wellness Center. While his presentation was all encompassing on stroke, there were two topics he went over twice saying if the attendees left with anything he hoped it would be theses two.

Prevention

  • 
Treat high blood pressure
  • Control diabetes
  • Stop smoking
  • 
Treat elevated cholesterol
  • 
Limit alcohol
  • Exercise
  • Risk of recurrent stroke
  • Medication compliance

While preventative measures can be taken, Stroke can still occur in you or those around you. Remember, when it comes to Stroke think FAST.

Face

  • Facial droop
  • Uneven smile

Arms

  • 
Arm Numbness
  • 
Arm Weakness

Speech

  • Slurry Speech
  • Difficulty speaking or understanding

Time

  • 
Call 911 and get to the hospital immediately
  • Brain is Time. The quicker you get to the hospital the better your chances are

Attendees at the seminar were also offered free blood pressure and blood sugar checks by the St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center Staff. They were able to leave equipped with several factors that may affect stroke as well as the knowledge on what to do.

This isn’t all for stroke month as we will have Nutritionist Tarie Beldin host a cooking class on Thur., May 24th at 6:00 p.m. at the Health and Wellness Center at the CHASCO YMCA. She will cook with the DASH Diet (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) in an effort to help you reduce your risk for stroke and other diseases. Space is limited and registration is required so sign up today by calling (512) 478-3627 or 888-868-2104.
Hope to see you there!

Holly Krivokapich
St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center
Health and Wellness Coordinator

5 Warning Signs of a Stroke

May 8, 2012 in Community, Exercise, Lifestyle Tips, Stroke with 0 Comments

Earlier in the month we discussed some of the most common instigators of anger, which escalates heart rate, breathing, arterial tension and cortisol levels, increasing chances for an episode of stroke in your life. Stroke is classified as a brain disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot, or bursts. When this occurs, part of the brain cannot get the blood and/or oxygen necessary and begins to die. While many know what a stroke is, the symptoms are not always as obvious. See below for the five warning signs of a stroke so you are educated in the future if yourself or someone shows the signs.

  • Sudden numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Click here to take the stroke risk scorecard and see if you are at risk, then join us for the Stroke Awareness Seminar which will be held at the St. David’s Health and Wellness Center at the Chasco Family YMCA on May 10th from 6:00- 7:30 p.m. A physician from St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center will lead the seminar and we will be conducting FREE Stroke screenings, blood pressure and blood sugar checks. Please join us by registering at 512.478.3627 or 1.888.868.2104.

Holly Krivokapich
Health and Wellness Coordinator
St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center