Nice article in todays TimesDaily regarding our expanded neuroservices! ECM enhancing stroke care services By Jennifer Edwards Staff Writer | Posted: Sunday, October 5, 2014 9:52 pm FLORENCE — With the addition of Dr. Rodney Soto, Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital has full daytime neurology services at the Florence Hospital. Soto started last week as a hospital-based neurologist. He’s splitting coverage time with Dr. Paola Tumminello, who is moving from private practice to a hospital-based neurologist. The new setup is part of the hospital’s continued emphasis on quality stroke care at the facility, officials said. Having two neurologist at the hospital during daytime hours cuts down on response time when a patient comes to the emergency department, which is important for long-term outcomes, Soto said. “The most critical issue is time when the patient develops stroke symptoms,” he said. Having proper protocols in place to treat potential stroke patients is as important as having the proper physicians in place, Soto said. The hospital was recently recognized as a “silver plus” stroke care center by the American Heart Association. Hospital spokesman Tom Whetstone said that certification recognizes the hospital has met or exceeded American Heart Association best-practices for stoke care for a year. Tabitha Blasingame, a registered nurse, is the hospital’s stroke care coordinator. Blasingame said stroke care protocol involves having the patient seen by a doctor within 10 minutes, in for a CT scan within 25 minutes and having the scan read within 45 minutes to determine if the patient is having a stroke. Blasingame said the challenge facing the hospital and the community is stroke education. She said patients routinely wait hours and even days after developing stroke symptoms before seeking medical care. She said much of that delay is due to patients not recognizing their symptoms as stroke symptoms. Soto added that stroke symptoms are pain-free, which causes a less immediate reaction. “The brain doesn’t have pain receptors,” Soto said. “So when there is a stroke, or a brain attack, people may not be as concerned.” But changing that reaction is vital for a patients recovery. “Identifying a stroke allows the patient access to potentially life-saving interventions and can prevent disabilities from the stroke,” Soto said. Jennifer Edwards can be reached at 256-740-5754 or jennifer.edwards@TimesDaily. Follow on Twitter @TD_JEdwards.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 12:29:40 +0000
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