Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/54969
FEATURE VIA CHRISTI HEALTH: Providing Answers for Stroke's Toughest Problems strokes. Many of them are preventable, and many patients could see improved outcomes with proper and timely treatment. There is no question about it — stroke is a big problem in our society. In fact, it is a $74 billion-a-year, life-and-death, permanent-disability kind of problem. As the nation's third leading cause of E death and a problem mired in complexi- ties, stroke presents an especially difficult challenge to the health care community. The question of what to do about stroke involves everything from advanced technologies to comprehensive patient- education programs. One health care organization, Via Christi Health, is facing the challenge head-on by keeping that question at the forefront of its objectives. Old Question, New Answers The answers in stroke care have evolved dramatically over the last few decades. Thanks to the development of new drugs, new tools and new imaging techniques that place sharp images in the hands of physicians in seconds (versus waiting 25 minutes for a grainy image), the team at Via Christi Health believes the future of stroke care is brighter than ever. "We are dedicated to a rigorous system of evaluation, whether it is within our own system or by outside entities, and an environment of clinical and professional excellence," explains Jim Walker, M.D., Medical Director of the Via Christi Stroke Center. "Stroke care is continually moving forward, and we are determined to keep pace." 10 | Greater Kansas MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM ACH YEAR IN the United States, Americans experience more than 700,000 life- threatening and life-altering Dedicated Stroke Care Providing exceptional care throughout the continuum of stroke management, Via Christi is home to the region's only dedicated Neurocritical Care Unit with nurses who have advanced training in stroke care. The team also includes Acute Stroke Response Teams that assemble in the Emergency Department within minutes to evaluate patients for the use of clot-busting medications. "Having an integrated team from the initial emergency through hospital- ization and rehabilitation has proven most effective in treating strokes," Dr. Walker explains. "Providing excel- lent care throughout the continuum of Jim Walker, M.D., Medical Director of Via Christi Stroke Center (left), confers with Kumar Reddy, M.D., Director of Interventional Radiology. Via Christi's biplane angiography system, shown here with Kumar Reddy, M.D., Director of Interventional Radiology, provides the latest technology in the diagnosis and treatment of stroke, aneurysms and peripheral vascular disease.