Fort Sanders Parkwest Medical Center, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, and Rural/Metro are working together in a study to determine how response times and initial treatments can result in improved functional ability and quality of life for stroke victims.

Every year, more than 600,000 Americans experience a stroke or "brain attack." New research and emergency protocols have shown that prompt action can sometimes prevent long-term disability.

"The earlier we can intervene, the better the outcome," explains Bert Toney, M.D., a physician specializing in emergency medicine and providing clinical oversight for the study. "Time is brain."

The study - "Leveraging the Critical First 24 Hours of Stroke Care" - examines the treatment of stroke patients from the first care provided by pre-hospital emergency services personnel, through diagnosis and treatment at the hospital, to follow-up.

"Early diagnosis of stroke is the key to preventing long-term disability," explains Dr. Toney. "By working with Rural/Metro, we are improving our methods and response times and are better prepared to treat stroke."

According to Dr. Toney, the hospitals are working with the ambulance service personnel, training them on rapid field assessment and stabilization of strokes or "brain attacks." Calls are placed, in advance, to the emergency departments from the ambulance, allowing doctors and nurses to begin preparations for diagnostic testing and treatment of the stroke patient.

"It saves the hospitals time on the front end by pre-identifying the person as a stroke patient," Dr. Toney says. "We can then determine the appropriate treatment faster."

Ten patients have been treated as part of the study to date and all arrived at the emergency room within two hours of the onset of symptoms. Six of those were brought to the Fort Sanders Parkwest and Fort Sanders Regional emergency rooms by Rural/Metro, with the remaining four arriving by other means. The study began July 1 and will continue through December.

"The Fort Sanders facilities are positioning themselves at the forefront in stroke management by participating in this effort," said Dr. Stuart Baker, VHA's executive vice president for clinical affairs. "With all the gains we've made in technology and treatment for stroke care, we still need broader application of this clinical knowledge to meet the needs and expectations of patients. This collaborative is helping to make that knowledge transfer happen."

Teams participating in the study will have ongoing communication with other hospital-based teams, medical researchers, emergency services personnel, and other clinical improvement experts. Healthcare organizations in Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia are taking part in addition to Fort Sanders Parkwest and Fort Sanders Regional. The nationally recognized stroke care program at The University of Cincinnati Medical Center is providing clinical leadership for the study.