New Stroke Unit at North York General Hospital Provides Patients with Best Quality Care

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - Over 50,000 strokes strike Canadians every year, making stroke the third leading cause of death in this country. Every minute counts after a stroke because treatment delays can cause significant negative neurological effects on a patient.  The newly designated Neurology and Stroke Unit at North York General Hospital (NYGH) means people in our community, suspected of having a stroke, will have access to the best quality stroke care that follows the best available evidence.

As part of the Neurology and Stroke Unit's official designation, 10 beds have been dedicated as stroke beds, a roving Stroke Assessment and Treatment Team (SATT) is available, across the hospital, to assess patients suspected of having a stroke, and four additional Holter monitors have been purchased.

"With a designated Stroke Unit and SATT, we can assess stroke patients faster so their treatment can begin sooner, giving stroke patients a better chance of a meaningful recovery after they are discharged from the Hospital," said Dr. Kuldeep Sidhu, Chief of Emergency Medicine at NYGH.

Patients at NYGH now have access, seven days a week, to an interdisciplinary SATT, comprised of nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech language pathologists, experienced in the care of acute stroke patients.  The SATT works with attending physicians to create a care plan that can begin even before a patient is transferred to the Unit, giving patients a better chance of a fuller recovery.

"Getting patients the right treatment when they need it is part of our commitment to put our patients first in everything we do," said Dr. Tim Rutledge, President and CEO, North York General Hospital. "Our newly dedicated stroke unit, and the team of people who work there, ensures the people we serve have timely access to the best quality stroke care close to home."

Those patients with suspected stroke presented to the Emergency Department or from an in-patient unit, will be assessed by SATT and given appropriate treatment according to best-practice stroke care guidelines. In addition to acute medical treatment, the SATT will begin therapeutic work to address a patient's problem with mobility, cognition and other impairments so patients can be discharged home or to a rehabilitation centre within four days of admission.

North York General Hospital, affiliated with the University of Toronto, is one of Canada's leading community academic hospitals. We offer our culturally diverse community a wide range of acute care, ambulatory and long-term care services across three sites. The hospital embraces health by providing innovative and compassionate care for the whole family at every stage of life.

SOURCE: North York General Hospital

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