Stroke Care

Northern Nevada Health System provides advanced stroke treatment for patients who have suffered a stroke. Northern Nevada Medical Center is certified as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission.

Patients are assessed in the emergency department to determine if a stroke has occurred. The best treatment options are determined after assessment. The stroke response team may use TeleNeurology. This is an innovative system that allows neurologists to diagnose stroke and recommend treatment even when they are not at the hospital. Because TeleNeurology can immediately bring physicians to a patient’s bedside, it can result in quicker diagnostic testing and treatment.

A medication called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can be used to treat stroke by minimizing the lasting effects. It helps break blood clots and improve blood flow. Intravenous tPA is recommended only if it can be administered within three hours of the onset of stroke warning signs. If you see someone showing signs of a possible stroke it is important to note the time the signs first appeared.

Advanced Primary Stroke Center

Northern Nevada Medical Center has been certified as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. This recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care.

The Advanced Primary Stroke Center at NNMC was recognized by the American Heart Association^®/American Stroke Association^®. It received the Get With The Guidelines^®-Stroke Silver Plus quality achievement award. This is for meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period.

NNMC also received the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite award in 2020. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke.

Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke rehabilitation is a very intense program consisting of physical, occupational and speech therapy. The goal is to jump start recovery after a debilitating stroke. Our team of therapists and nurses work to help patients reach their maximum potential.

Learn More about Stroke Rehabilitation

TeleStroke Network

The TeleStroke Network at Northern Nevada Medical Center gives patients throughout the region access to acute stroke specialists, including neurologists, at any time of day. The TeleStroke Network, part of NNMC’s Primary Stroke Center, is focused on reducing the detrimental effects caused by stroke. It uses secure, two-way video and audio consultation, along with image-sharing technology. This gives medical staff at participating hospitals, patients and their families immediate access to stroke experts.

Learn More about TeleStroke Network

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Possible Stroke: Act F.A.S.T.

The initial signs of stroke may be difficult to recognize, but most commonly include the following:

Face

• Facial droop/uneven smile
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause
• Sudden double vision or trouble with vision

Arm

• Arm (or leg) weakness or numbness
• Loss of balance or coordination,
• Sudden dizziness or trouble walking

Speech

• Slurred speech
• Trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden confusion

Time

• CALL 9-1-1 immediately

Risk Factors Associated With Possible Stroke

The following factors and conditions contribute to an increased risk of stroke:

• Smoking
• Lack of physical activity
• Poor diet
• Obesity/excess weight
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes/high blood sugar

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