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Code Stroke
Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: 2018/06 - June
Mission Health’s Highlands-Cashiers Hospital continues its stroke intervention/ education with this interview with Reid D. Taylor, MD, of Mission Neurology.
“When it comes to stroke risk factors,” Dr. Taylor says, “we divide them into two categories: modifiable and nonmodifiable. ‘Modifiable’ refers to things a patient and his/her doctor can change to reduce the likelihood of stroke – blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and tobacco products. ‘Nonmodifiables’ are factors one cannot change such as ethnicity, family history and age.”
Dr. Taylor suggests adding obesity, sedentary lifestyle and, possibly, sleep apnea to the list of modifiables.
Perhaps the most important modification is establishing a good relationship with a primary care physician. Creating a plan for a healthy lifestyle is the key to minimizing the chances of stroke.
Last month we listed the warning signs of a stroke, FAST (Face-drooping, Arm weakness, Speech-difficulty and Time to call 911). Dr. Taylor adds two letters to that acronym, BEFAST, “B” for Balance and “E” for Eye movement.
If you employ BEFAST and dial 911, an ambulance comes straight to your house. EMS screens you. If a stroke is likely, they notify Mission to expect a Code Stroke. That activates the stroke team, experts in stroke intervention.
“At Highlands we employ highly advanced technology,” says Dr. Taylor. “A medical robot assists the team that examines, scans and sends vitals, etc., to the chief neurologist in Asheville, who is viewing everything on monitors (telehealth) and evaluating all input in real-time. The neurologist might be 60 flight miles away, but it’s like having the doctor and patient in the same room.”
Mission Health is one of only 200 hospitals in the nation designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, an impressive credential.
Dr. Taylor closes with, “Even with Mission’s CSC designation, its extraordinary neurological team, its Code Stroke unit and its phenomenal telehealth capabilities, the most important care of all is the care you take in finding and following the preventative advice of your primary care physician.”
If you or someone you know presents any BEFAST symptoms, dial 911 immediately. If you need a primary care physician, contact Mission Hospital at (828) 526-1200 for a referral to one of the region’s finest.
