
A Typical Patient's Journey: Stroke Care at DHMC
Know the warning signs
- Sudden numbness or weakness
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking
- Sudden trouble seeing
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness
- Sudden severe headache
- Call 911
- Because Time Lost is Brain Lost
Pre-hospital care
- Ischemic stroke symptoms develop
- Ambulance called and responds
- Patient transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Emergency Department (ED)
- "Stroke Alert" called to notify Stroke Team to come to ED
Hospital care at Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Emergency Department
- Immediate assessment by ED staff upon arrival of patient
- Stroke Team arrives
- Initial diagnostic testing: blood test, CT scan
- Initial therapeutic medications administered (if indicated)
Inpatient admission
- Patient arrives on Stroke Unit
- Daily clinical care measures to prevent complications
- Additional diagnostic testing performed: vascular studies, MRI, ultrasound of heart
- Assessment of functional impairment and rehabilitation needs
- Education of patient and family begins
Preparation for after-hospital care
- Multi-disciplinary team develops a plan with the patient and family for discharge and rehabilitation care (clinical resource coordinator, physician, nurse practitioner, nurse, social worker, rehabilitation specialists)
- Medication treatment is initiated to prevent another stroke and reduce other risk factors
- Patient goes home with in-home assistance (Visiting Nurse Association), if appropriate, or patient goes to rehabilitation or extended care facility
- Follow-up appointments are made in the Stroke Assessment and Prevention Clinic
Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke Program
- About the Program
- Patient Stories
- Prevention
- Common Conditions, Tests, and Treatments
- Resources
- For Health Care Professionals
- Our Team
- Other Team Members
- Appointments and Referrals