Your Medical Team for Stroke Care at University of Colorado Hospital
Stroke Specialists: Acute Care
The care given at the time of a stroke can mean the difference between a good outcome and a bad outcome – sometimes even between life and death.
Stroke is a medical emergency and care begins with the arrival of the EMS team. This team is specially trained in the stabilization of a patient and emergency transport. It is the first step in stroke care. If their local hospital cannot provide stroke services, a patient can be transferred to University Of Colorado Hospital and that patient may be cared for by our critical care EMS team, specially trained to care for stroke patients in transit.
Once at University Of Colorado Hospital, a Stroke team responds to begin the process of diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Our team is comprised of the following healthcare experts:
Emergency physicians and nurses – continue stabilization and continue diagnostic work up
Stroke nurse practitioner – directs care of the patient, including treatment decisions
Neurosurgeon – a surgeon specializing in the surgery of nervous system structures. In the case of a stroke victim, the surgery is used to treat hemorrhages and aneurysms.
Neurologist – a medical doctor that diagnoses and treats medical (non-surgical) disorders of the nervous system
Hospitalist – a medical doctor based in the hospital specializing in the care of patients admitted to the hospital
Interventional radiologist – A radiologist who specializes in the use of imaging (CT, fluoroscopy, ultrasound) to perform procedures. In the case if a stroke victim, the goal is to clear blood vessel blockages.
CT/MRI staff – specialists who take radiographic images to identify the source of the neurologic deficit
Neuroradiologists – specialists using x-rays, CT and MRI images to diagnose disorders and diseases of the nervous system
Intensivist – a physician who specializes in the care and treatment of patients requiring critical care for their diagnosis
Neurological ICU and neuroscience unit nurses – provide continued care to patients after admission, working to prevent complications and preparing patients for rehabilitation
Social workers – work with patients and families to provide support during hospitalization for what is often a life-changing event. They work to coordinate after care services as well as provide psychosocial support to the family
Discharge planners – work with patient and family to facilitate discharge to the most appropriate setting, whether that’s rehabilitation here at University Of Colorado Hospital, a rehabilitation hospital closer to their home, a skilled nursing facility or to outpatient therapy services
Stroke Specialists: Rehabilitation
Once the acute phase of stroke care is completed, the rehabilitation phase begins. This phase can last weeks to months, sometimes as long as a year or more. This care team specializes in helping patients recover function, retrain the body and show patients how to adapt to their deficits.
This team is comprised of the following specialists:
Physiatrist – a physician who is trained in rehabilitation medicine, who leads the team of specialists providing rehabilitation care
Physical Therapists – provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease
Occupational Therapists – help people improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments
Speech/Language Pathologists – sometimes called speech therapists, assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing, fluency, and other related disorders
Dieticians – Dietitians and nutritionists plan food and nutrition programs and supervise the preparation and serving of meals. They help to prevent and treat illnesses by promoting healthy eating habits and recommending dietary modifications, such as the use of less salt for those with high blood pressure or the reduction of fat and sugar intake for those who are overweight
Social workers – work with patients and families to provide support during rehabilitation for what is often a life-changing event. They work to coordinate after care services as well as provide psychosocial support to the family.
Discharge planners – work with patient and family to facilitate return to home or the most appropriate setting