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| Stroke Services
Stroke is the Fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of serious, long-term disability. Few conditions occur as rapidly and with as devastating consequences as stroke. About 4.5 million stroke survivors are alive today. Through innovation of diagnostic technologies, advanced treatment, improved management of stroke risk factors, implementation of cutting edge acute stroke treatments, and improved rehabilitation strategies, there is new hope for persons who have had a stroke or who are at risk of having a stroke Shands at the University of Florida is designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, a title earned by meeting rigorous requirements, such as providing advanced diagnostic capabilities, linking with stroke-trained emergency responders and making its stroke specialists available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Stroke Program at SUF adheres to the Joint Commission guidelines required for certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. These guidelines are based on the American Stroke Association and the Brain Attack Coalition's recommendations representing expert consensus and clinically proven methodologies for the latest in stroke care. Additionally, the American Stroke Association and the American Heart Association awarded the Shands at UF Stroke Program the American Stroke Association Gold Award recognizing the hospital's commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations. Learn more about:
About the SUF Stroke ProgramThe Shands at the University of Florida Stroke Program is dedicated to preventing, diagnosing and treating strokes. Care is coordinated from the first point of contact with the patient through extensive therapy at Shands Rehab Hospital in Gainesville. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of serious, long-term disability. Few conditions occur as rapidly and with as devastating consequences as stroke. Dr. Michael Waters, Director of the Stroke Program, has brought together a multidisciplinary team of UF neurologists, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons, critical care physicians, emergency medicine physicians, rehabilitation specialists, nurse specialists and pharmacists who have a special interest and expertise in stroke and cerebrovascular disease. The Agency for Health Care Administration has designated Shands at UF and Shands Jacksonville as Comprehensive Stroke Centers. These facilities are two of only 16 AHCA-designated Comprehensive Stroke Centers in the state. AHA/ASA Awards Shands at UF the 'Get With The Guidelines-Stroke' Gold Performance AwardThe American Heart/Stroke Association recently awarded Shands at the University of Florida its Get With The Guidelines–Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award at a ceremony held at the University of Florida. The award recognizes the Shands at UF's commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of patient care and improving outcomes for stroke patients. Shands at UF has developed a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to our emergency department. This includes always being equipped to provide brain imaging scans, having neurologists and neurosurgeons available 24/7 to conduct patient evaluations, using clot-busting medications when appropriate, as well as the availability of other innovative tools to help stroke patients. Our participation in Get With The Guidelines-Stroke demonstrates our commitment to quality care. We are proud to be a part of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's efforts to turn guidelines into lifelines. “Articles published in leading scientific journals have increasingly demonstrated the effectiveness of Get With The Guidelines-Stroke. The time is right for Shands UF to continue its focus on providing high quality, science-based stroke care. The number of acute ischemic stroke patients eligible for treatment is expected to grow over the next decade due to increasing stroke incidence and our aging population,” added Michael Waters MD, PhD Stroke Program Medical Director. To receive the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Performance Award, Shands at UF has demonstrated 85% adherence in the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke key measures for 24 or more consecutive months. These key measures include aggressive use of medications like tPA, antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol-reducing drugs, and smoking cessation. The full implementation of these kinds of acute care and secondary prevention recommendations and guidelines is a critical step in improving the outcomes of stroke patients and saving lives. According to the American Stroke Association, each year approximately 700,000 people suffer a stroke. Approximately 500,000 of these are first attacks and approximately 200,000 are recurrent strokes. Get With The Guidelines-Stroke uses the time soon after a patient has had a stroke when they are most likely to listen to and follow the guidance provided by health care professionals. This period of time is called the "teachable moment" and stroke studies have demonstrated that patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors for stroke during this "teachable moment," while they are still in the hospital, reduce their risk of a second stroke or heart attack. Through the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program, customized patient education materials, based on the risk profile of the individual patient, are made available at the point of discharge. These take-away materials are written in an easy-to-understand format and are available in English and Spanish. In addition, the Get With The Guidelines Patient Management Tool provides access to up-to-the date cardiovascular and stroke science at the point of care. To learn more about the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines quality improvement program, visit the American Heart Association online at www.americanheart.org/getwiththeguidelines. Types of StrokeA stroke can happen when a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain is blocked by a clot (called an ischemic stroke), or when a blood vessel breaks open, causing blood to leak into the brain (called a hemorrhagic stroke). The ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, often resulting from clogged arteries. Fatty deposits collect on the artery walls, forming plaque. Plaque causes abnormal blood flow through the arteries, which can cause the blood to clot, causing a stroke. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when small blood vessels in the brain, which have weakened due to high blood pressure, aneurysm or defects, burst, causing blood to flow into the brain. The brain is sensitive to bleeding, and damage can occur rapidly, either because of the presence of the blood itself, or because the fluid increases pressure on and swelling of the brain. Warning Signs of a StrokeA stroke can occur suddenly, and it is important to act quickly if you or someone you know has experienced the sudden onset of the following symptoms:
The symptoms of stroke depend on what part of the brain is damaged. In some cases, a person may not even be aware that he or she has had a stroke. Don't wait. Call 9-1-1! If you see one of these symptoms, and even if it goes away, call 9-1-1 immediately. This person may be having a stroke. The American Stroke Association recommends evaluating the five following behaviors to determine if symptoms are are stroke:
Stroke PreventionA stroke can cause brain damage, long-term disabilities and death, but prevention measures help lessen the chance of a stroke. Tips for stroke prevention include:
Resources & Downloads
Stroke EducationThe Stroke Program and ShandsCair have educated the surrounding counties on pre-hospital stroke care and implemented a stroke-alert system for all patients with stroke signs and symptoms. When a stroke alert is activated, the stroke team mobilizes to prepare for the patient in transport to the hospital. Care and RehabilitationOnce stroke patients are treated and stabilized, they are cared for in the newly opened Neuro ICU at Shands at UF, which focuses many disciplines of human services and leading-edge technological resources on neurosurgical and neurological critically ill patients. The creation of this unit aggregates resources and expertise, which results in improved patient outcomes and reduced mortality and morbidity. In fact, The Leapfrog Group, a consortium of more than 130 private and public healthcare purchasers, estimates a 30 percent reduction in mortality utilizing this approach to caring for critically ill patients. When patients are ready for long-term rehabilitation, Shands Rehab Hospital is a comprehensive, inpatient category-one facility for adult medical rehabilitation programs according to the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. At Shands Rehab Hospital, healthcare professionals provide intensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services for people with physical and neurological problems. Comprehensive communication training and psychological therapy combined with physical and occupational therapies provide a program designed to return patients to their homes and communities. Clinical TrialsThe Stroke Program at the University of Florida is currently participating in several clinical trials. Click here to learn more Principles of the Stroke ProgramThe Stroke Program's state-of-the-art acute stroke management protocols, guided by the principles of the American Heart/Stroke Association, Brain Attack Coalition and the Joint Commission, focus on aggressive prevention of future stroke with a combination of medications and changes in lifestyle. By decreasing the risks for stroke, the program improves quality of life and provides peace of mind. InformationFor more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the Shands HealthCare Consultation Center at 352.265.8000. |
Neurological ServicesGeneral NeurologyMemory DisordersMovement DisordersNeuromuscular DisordersEpilepsy and Seizure DisordersMultiple SclerosisStroke ServicesClinical TrialsMultimedia Resources and LinksMake an AppointmentTo make an appointment or find out more information about neurology services offered at Shands at the University of Florida, please call 352.265.8000 or toll-free 1.800.749.7424 You may also email our Consultation Center (consult@shands.ufl.edu) or use our secure online form. |
