Curry General Recognized for Care of Stroke Patients

GOLD BEACH, OR September 25, 2015 - Curry General Hospital has been recognized as the top hospital from among all metropolitan and rural facilities within the Providence Telestroke Network for quickly performing potentially life-saving diagnostic scans, a step necessary to determine the appropriate treatment of stroke patients.

The hospital utilizes a Telestroke robot with a secure two-way video system that allows neurologists with the Providence Stroke Center in Portland to be "in the room" with the patient, the patient's family and the local physician. This ensures patients can receive the fastest, most effective treatment locally. The new Emergency Department to be opened in Brookings at Curry Medical Center later this fall will also be equipped with a Telestroke robot.

The hospital in Gold Beach was recognized for having the fastest median "door-to-CT time" of all hospitals participating in the Telestroke program. Door-to-CT time is the amount of time that passes from the instant patients arrive at the emergency department (ED), to the time they receive a computerized tomography (CT) scan. The CT scan combines a series of x-ray images taken from different angles and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images, or slices, of the body.

"With a stroke, faster care can mean a better outcome," said Amber Timm, RN, BSN, and Stroke Coordinator. "Standard of care is for a suspected stroke patient to receive a CT scan within 15 minutes of arrival to the ED, but our hospital averaged only seven minutes."

Lora Lawson, CNO, explained why the door-to-CT time is important. "Results from the CT scan expedite the care and treatment of the stroke patient. That information is made available to the consulting neurologist so a timely and informed decision can be made if the patient is a good candidate for clot-busting medication." In 2012, Curry General was recognized as the top hospital for providing that medication in the least amount of time.

"Cal-Ore, the local Emergency Medical Services provider, should also be recognized," said Timm. "They have improved on processes to ensure early notification is received by the hospital that a potential stroke victim is on the way. That allows us to prepare, and take the patient directly from the ambulance gurney to the CT scanner."

Timm accepted the award on behalf of the hospital at a ceremony held in Portland on Sept. 17.