After 911

EMS alerts the Comprehensive Stroke Center

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrives to pick up the patient. They alert the Comprehensive Stroke Center, like Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, that a possible “Code Stroke” is headed their way, provides the estimated time of arrival and the stroke severity.

The Stroke Team is prepared and waiting for the patient

At the hospital, the Stroke Team in the Emergency Department begins preparing before the patient arrives. When the patient arrives, the team is ready and takes the patient directly to get a CT scan.

A physician views the CT scan

The dedicated on-call neurologist views images of the brain in real time and diagnoses the type of stroke. Depending on the type and elapsed time, additional treatments, such as clot-busting therapy, may be ordered.

The patient is rushed to the Angio Suite

If the stroke is caused by a large arterial blockage, then the patient is rushed to the Angio Suite, a dedicated space for stroke procedures, where a pre-notified OR team and on-call neurointerventionalist are waiting to perform a medical thrombectomy. During this minimally invasive procedure, the blood clot is removed from the brain through small access in the patient’s groin, restoring blood flow to the brain.

The patient is moved to a Neuro ICU

The patient is transported to a Neuro Intensive Care Unit for monitoring and recovery by a specialized team.

A long-term recovery plan is developed

A multidisciplinary team, including the stroke team, Neuro ICU team and other specialists, initiate secondary stroke prevention and plan long-term recovery, including rehab.