Peter Rasmussen, M.D.
Lakewood Hospital
Cerebrovascular Medicine

 

Q. I know that Lakewood Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center, but what does that term actually mean and why is it important for stroke patients?

 

A. A hospital that has been designated as a Primary Stroke Center has met stringent criteria to meet this requirement. To summarize, a Primary Stroke Center exists within a hospital where a group of medical professionals who specialize in stroke care work together to diagnose, treat and provide early rehabilitation to stroke patients. The goal being to provide expertise in the administration of intravenous tPA for the treatment of stroke and to create a culture of quality and outcome assessment that works toward ongoing improvement in the care of the stroke patient.

 

The concept of a Primary Stroke Center was born after experts in the field realized that less than five percent of people with an acute stroke received tPA (a medication that when given within three hours of the beginning of stroke symptoms can help dissolve stroke-causing blood clots; however, if given later, it can lead to serious bleeding in the brain).

 

The most common barrier that prevents patients from receiving this life-saving treatment is delayed diagnosis inside a busy emergency room; therefore, to address this issue, comprehensive guidelines were established for hospitals in order to obtain primary stroke center status with the Joint Commission (an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs in the United States and is recognized as an agency which ensures that hospitals provide the highest quality of care).

 

The common goal of Primary Stroke Centers is to transport, assess, diagnose and treat each stroke patient within three hours of the onset of their symptoms.

 

One of the most important reasons why Primary Stroke Centers are the premier places for the treatment of strokes is that, by having specialized units, these hospitals provide better results in the treatment of stroke when compared to hospitals that treat stroke patients in medical intensive care units.

 

Lakewood Hospital has received national recognition for its neurological care and was one of the first Joint Commission designated Primary Stroke Centers on Cleveland’s Westside.

 

Dr. Rasmussen sees patients at the Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute at Lakewood Hospital. He provides expert diagnosis and medical treatment for cerebrovascular conditions, such as stroke and brain aneurysms.

 

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 216.529.7110.