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Hospital Spotlight: Aventura Stroke Care

Because a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is slowed or stopped by a rupture or blockage of an artery, restoring that flow quickly is essential to saving a stroke victim’s life.

If the right treatment is started fast enough, it can not only prevent death, but minimize complications such as paralysis, memory loss and slurred speech.

Types of stroke

There are three kinds of stroke, as defined by the American Stroke Association:

· Ischemic Stroke: Caused by a clot in a blood vessel to the brain. Accounts for 87% of strokes.

· Hemorrhaging Stroke: Caused by a ruptured blood vessel to the brain.

· Transient Ischemic Attack: Also referred to as a “warning” stroke, the clot is temporary and causes no permanent damage. However, it increases the risk of an ischemic stroke.

Aventura at the forefront

Aventura Hospital and Medical Center was the first hospital in Miami-Dade County to receive the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association “Get With The Guidelines” Gold Plus Achievement Award for excellence in stroke care.

This award, bestowed upon AHMC in 2009, recognized the hospital for consistently following the program’s achievement benchmarks for two or more 12-month periods, and sustaining a 75% or higher compliance level with six of the 10 program guidelines.

To do this, AHMC has aggressively used medications and techniques to improve stroke outcomes for patients. These include:

· tPA: A clot-busting drug that must be used immediately after a stroke to be effective.

· Antithrombotics: A medication which inhibits the formation of clots.

· Anticoagulation therapy: A treatment program to prevent the formation of clots in the blood.

· Cholesterol-reducing drugs: Statin medications reduce the buildup of plaque in the arteries and help prevent the existing plaque from rupturing.

· Smoking cessation: Quitting reduces the risk of stroke because it reduces the risk of circulatory disease.

· DVT (deep vein thrombosis) treatment: DVT occurs when the blood flow in the legs is slowed and clots form. Treatment includes compression therapy and anti-inflammatory medications.

Aventura was also the first hospital in Miami-Dade to be designated a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission.

Risk factors for stroke

Some people have a family history of stroke. That can’t be changed, but you can modify your lifestyle to reduce your chances of having a stroke.

  • Smoking: The chemicals in cigarettes cause damage to the cardiovascular system.
  • High blood pressure: This is the No. 1 cause of stroke.
  • High cholesterol: It contributes to the narrowing and hardening of the arteries.
  • Physical inactivity: Lack of exercise and obesity add to the risk of stroke.

Know the signs of stroke

Stroke happens very fast. It also happens without warning. Signs that someone may be having a stroke include sudden weakness, numbness, blurry vision, intense headache, dizziness and confusion.

Remember, time is critical in treating a person whose brain is not receiving an adequate supply of blood. If you see someone exhibiting symptoms of stroke, call 911 right away.

Aventura Hospital and Medical Center has the staff and the experience to provide everyone in our community with the best possible stroke care.

For more information about stroke care ,or if you would like a neurologist referral, contact Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-256-7692, visit Aventura Hospital and Medical Center online, or visit HCA East Florida online.

About HCA East Florida

Building a Healthy Community -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In communities across South Florida and the Treasure Coast, more than 12,000 of your neighbors, friends and colleagues are committed to building a Healthy Community – a community with dedicated neighborhood groups, active little leagues, charities helping those in need, firstclass institutions that contribute to the overall well-being of the community, and businesses committed to making the communities they serve a better place. A National Presence -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HCA’s roots date back to the 1960s when Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. led a group of physicians to build a hospital in Nashville,Tennessee. Close to four decades of hard work and dedication have made HCA – Hospital Corporation of America – the nation’s leading provider of quality healthcare services, with locally managed facilities that include approximately 191 hospitals and 82 outpatient surgery centers in 23 states, England and Switzerland. In Florida, there are 40 hospitals and 28 surgery centers, three division offices, and multiple other service facilities affiliated with HCA that employ close to 40,000 individuals. HCA affiliated facilities in East Florida are a part of a quality healthcare network in East Florida and the Treasure Coast with 12 affiliated hospitals, 12 surgery centers, one integrated regional lab and one consolidated service center. Together, the network employs more than 12,500 individuals and has close to 6,000 physicians on staff. A Commitment to Excellence -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hospitals have become the front line of healthcare in our country, creating demands never seen before. Technology, a growing and ever-changing part of healthcare, has pushed the boundaries of how care is provided and the expectations of those receiving care. Providing high quality and cost effective healthcare requires a constant upgrade of our facilities and the technology within the facilities. Whether it is an expanded Emergency Room or the latest imaging technology, our commitment to excellence is unwavering. Excellence is achieved when excellence is expected. HCA affiliated East Florida hospitals expect and are committed to excellence. A Clear Vision -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HCA’s corporate mission and values statement says it best: Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life. In recognition of this commitment, we strive to deliver high quality, cost effective healthcare in the communities we serve. HCA East Florida and its 12 affiliate hospitals are proud to be living up to that commitment. Recognized Leaders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The benchmark for quality and leadership is found in the men and women who make up HCA East Florida network of hospitals. It is the caring touch of a physician, the friendly smile of a volunteer, the compassion of a nurse, the professionalism of a technician or the willingness to help of an office clerk. It is the excellence of the individual that has made HCA affiliated hospitals in East Florida recognized leaders in the communities they serve. HCA’s affiliate hospitals consistently appear among the Top 100 Hospitals and receive outstanding ratings from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. They receive 5 star ratings from Healthgrades, Inc. and recognition from the Leapfrog Group for Patient Safety. More importantly, our patient and physician satisfaction surveys consistently prove that the HCA affiliated East Florida hospitals are recognized leaders in the delivery of quality healthcare. The 12 HCA East Florida affiliate hospitals provided in excess of $ 800 million in care to the neediest without any compensation. In addition, we have implemented a comprehensive charitable care policy that provides financial relief to more of our charity patients and needs-based discounts to uninsured patients. One of the biggest challenges faced by the healthcare industry is the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals, especially Registered Nurses. Recognizing the challenge, we established scholarship programs at Palm Beach Community College, Broward Community College, Miami Dade College and Florida International University. The active involvement of HCA affiliated hospitals in the community will continue through our support of major initiatives as well as our active leadership and participation in a variety of organizations that promote the social and economic wellbeing of our community and embrace our cultural diversity. If an initiative or organization is looking to build a Healthy Community, you’re likely to find someone from an HCA affiliated East Florida hospital actively involved. “Healthy Community - A Community Initiative of the East Florida hospitals affiliated with HCA.” The terms “HCA” or the “Company” as used herein refer to HCA Inc. and its affiliates, unless otherwise stated or indicated by context. The terms “facilities,” “hospitals,” “medical centers,” “surgery centers” and “affiliates” refer to entities owned or operated by subsidiaries or affiliates of HCA Inc. References herein to “HCA employees” or to “our employees” refer to employees of affiliates or subsidiaries of HCA Inc.
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