Every Minute Counts

When it comes to stroke treatment, time lost is brain lost. Here is what to expect if you or a loved one suffers from a stroke and is brought to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Department or is a patient at the hospital at the time of a stroke:

• A mobile ‘robot’ will immediately bring an experienced neurologist to the bedside of patients. Within minutes, the local physician and patient can communicate with the neurologist who can view the patient’s symptoms. Medical data, including imaging scans, can also be transmitted, allowing the local physician and neurologist to develop a treatment plan.
• In the ER, our team will ask about your medical history and when symptoms started. Brain scans will be conducted to identify what type of stroke you may have had.
• Once a diagnosis is made, you may work with a neurologist who treats brain disorders, a neurosurgeon that performs surgery on the brain, or a specialist in another area of medicine.
• Medicine, surgery, or other procedures may be needed to stop the bleeding and save brain tissue.
• After a stroke, you may need rehabilitation to help you recover. Before you are discharged from the hospital, our social workers will help you find care services and caregiver support to continue your long-term recovery. It is important to work with your health care team to find out the reasons for your stroke and take steps to prevent another stroke.