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scanners with smaller bands requiring mul- tiple rotations to capture the same image. It is ultra fast, and the image is beautiful and gives us the ability to perform profusion imaging to determine whether there is brain that can be rescued from lack of oxygen. "Ease of access is as important to these time-critical patients as availability," he continues. "We get MRI and CT scans all night long. All stroke patients have to be imaged to assess for the kind of stroke that they are having and to determine what kind of treatment would work best." "In addition to capturing clear images quickly, interpretation is also absolutely crucial, as is timely intervention," Dr. Choi notes. "We have neuroradiology coverage 24/7. Our radiologist colleagues at St. Paul Radiology are dedicated, committed and really fantastic — their expertise is critical to treatment as well as diagnosis. St. Paul Radiology's commitment to subspecialty services is extremely important, and their neurointerventional radiologists have been part of our stroke team and stroke care for over a decade." Handling Multiple Complex Patients Simultaneously C o m p r e h e n s i v e S t r o k e C e n t e r Certification also required Regions to demonstrate the ability to handle two complex stroke patients simultaneously. "We have a medical and a surgical ICU and a policy and process for mov- ing patients to accommodate our stroke patients," Droegemueller says. Since receiving certification this year, there have already been two occasions when two code strokes occurred and were moved through diagnosis a nd treatment simultaneously. Dedicated Neuro-Critical Care Beds Comprehensive Stroke Centers must also prove they are able to care for the sickest neurologically ill patients in their intensive care units. The ICU team at Regions is ready a nd ca res for these patients on a daily basis. In addi- tion, the hospital staff includes neuro-critical care competent intensivists to guide the patients' care. Research Regions Hospital participates in national and international stroke trials. Currently, the hospital is participating in the POINT trial, which is comparing aspirin mono- therapy versus Plavix plus aspirin to prevent a stroke following a minor or warning stroke. Regions is also participating in the ATACH-II (Antihypertensive Treatment of Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage) clinical trial of blood pressure reduction in acute intracerebral hemorrhage and in the upcom- ing SOCRATES trial looking at a new blood thinner for stroke. Post-Stroke Care Acute inpatient rehab has long been a cor- nerstone of stroke care. The Regions Hospital Rehabilitation Institute has been accredited for stroke rehab by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities since 2008. Following stroke, all patients are followed for their ongoing rehab needs and monitored for stroke risk factors, cognitive impairment and post-stroke depression. Additionally, Regions offers a stroke support group and a resource facilitation program in partnership with the Minnesota Stroke Association and Brain Injury Alliance. "We have also launched a program of Regions stroke survivor volunteers," Droegemueller says. "They visit stroke patients in the hospital, bringing support, encouragement and real-life experience that complements the care of our physicians and nurses." External Validation: The Most Accurate Measure of Expertise "Every hospital and practice strives to deliver good care," Dr. Haake observes. "Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification, based on stringent external evaluation, rep- resents an objective measure of expertise and outcomes based on the highest standards of stroke care. It's a distinction worth noting." C omprehen sive St roke C ent er Certification for Regions Hospital reflects the hospital's consistently stellar national ratings. It was the first hospital in the state to receive the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Gold Plus rating through the Get with the Guidelines program. Those associations also use the nation- wide Outcome Sciences database — one that collects quality rankings on nearly 3 million stroke cases in more than 2,300 hospitals — to recognize high performers, and they placed Regions among the highest- ranking hospitals in the country. But the physicians and staff at Regions Hospital never forget that behind each bit of data is a living, breathing patient affected by stroke. Dr. Haake remembers a patient aged in the early 50s with complete paralysis on the left side. "We administered intravenous tPA, but the patient didn't improve," he recalls. "We were able to go into the blocked vessel with a catheter and pull out the clot. The patient recovered fully and returned to work. Without Regions' comprehensive resources, that person would be completely paralyzed on the left side and unable to work. This person would have been significantly dev- astated by the stroke. Instead, the individual is back at work with full function. "These are the stories we love to tell," Dr. Haake continues. "This patient, and so many others, have such great outcomes because of our staff's level of engagement and the learning environment that we cultivate here. We are absolutely com- mitted to creating a system where people get the right neurological care. Regions Hospital allows us to do that, and I just love that. It's fantastic, and it's my favorite part of my job." For more inf or m at ion ab out the R e g i o n s H o s p i t a l S t r o k e C e n t e r v i s it w w w.t a k e m e tore g ion s.c om or call 651-254-3703. Regions Hospital is part of the HealthPartners Family of Care. ■ COV ER+ FE AT UR E Left: A 4 mm x 4 mm x 3 mm ruptured right anterior choroidal artery aneurysm; Right: A coil embolization was performed to near complete occlusion. After the coiling procedure, the patient achieved complete independence with activities of daily living, following a brief rehabilitation. 8 | Minnesota MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M

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