Every 45 seconds, someone in America has a stroke; every three minutes, someone dies of one. For stroke victims, receiving immediate, but specialized, treatment may mean the difference between life and death. If the victim does survive, the type and timeliness of care will likely make a huge difference in the person's quality of life.
The Joint Commission certified Barnes-Jewish Hospital as a Primary Stroke Center—the first hospital in the St. Louis area to receive the recognition.
Stroke Management and Rehabilitation Team (SMART)
To help stroke patients and their families, as well as other physicians, hospitals and EMS personnel who work with stroke victims, Barnes-Jewish Hospital has developed a rapid response stroke team called the Stroke Management and Rehabilitation Team (SMART). This team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The team is made up of specialists who bring individual expertise and exceptional care from a variety of areas to help stroke patients.
Because so many stroke patients come to Barnes-Jewish through the emergency department, nurses and physicians are trained to recognize signs and symptoms of stroke and begin the diagnosis and treatment. They notify the SMART team, who will continue the stroke examination and evaluate the patient for different treatment options. Emergency Department staff starts the treatments and works closely with SMART and other neuroscience staff to transition the patient to an inpatient care area.
Activating SMART
SMART services may be requested by any department within the hospital, as well as any referring physician, hospital or EMS. SMART members are trained to quickly determine what type of stroke a person has had, whether the patient is a candidate for tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), the clot-dissolving drug proven to prevent long-lasting disabilities for certain stroke sufferers, and what other treatment should be given.
For stroke patients, time is crucial. Whether the initial SMART call comes from one of the inpatient ICUs, or from a smaller hospital wanting to transfer a potential stroke victim, the SMART team strives to meet or exceed established timetables based on national standard for strokes. Team members will continue their involvement in the patient's care through discharge and beyond.
Advantages to SMART
- Improved patient care
- Reduced morbidity and mortality among patients
- Reduced costs
- Increased use of acute stroke therapies
- Improved long-term outcomes
- Increased patient satisfaction
Individualized Medical Care
Care for a stroke patient is individualized to meet the needs of that particular patient and family. A comprehensive follow-up plan for care will be developed based on patient needs and community resources. These include prevention of further strokes and reduction of risk factors such as smoking, obesity, hypertension or chemical dependency.
The SMART healthcare team also participates in bimonthly stroke conferences presented by Washington University's Department of Neurology. Each conference presents the latest evidenced-based medical research with a focus on the care and prevention of stroke. This ongoing communication provides SMART members the opportunity to constantly learn—and use—new treatment and care options for their stroke patients.
SMART Members
- Neurologist
- Nurse coordinator
- Speech pathologist
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Registered dietitian
- Social worker
- Pastoral care
- Others –because stroke is a complex disease, SMART members often will call other healthcare experts to assist in providing exceptional patient care.
Stroke Education
Stroke awareness and prevention is a priority for Barnes-Jewish Hospital. The hospital facilitates stroke education in four ways:
For Patients and Families
Education begins the first day of diagnosis. Just like treatment, education is individualized to meet patient and family needs. Each patient will receive a stroke informational packet that includes the Stroke Connection magazine with a one-year free subscription, “What You Need to Know About Stroke” pamphlet, a listing of regional stroke support agencies and groups, and other patient-specific brochures. Educational videos are available through the patient's bedside TV.
For the Surrounding Community
SMART members are available to provide ongoing education for referring hospitals and EMS. SMART members also participate in community events such as blood pressure screenings and the hospital's Speakers’ Bureau.
For the Hospital Staff
Stroke education is offered to all nursing divisions within the hospital, so that each area is able to provide patients with exceptional care.
For SMART Members
Through ongoing education, such as the bi-monthly stroke conferences and national CMEs, the members consistently evaluate and improve the care they provide stroke patients and their families.
To find out more about the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Stroke Center, call 314-TOP-DOCS (314-867-3627) or toll-free 866-867-3627.