Stroke Treatment

We Use the Latest Evidence-Based Treatments

There can be no delay when a patient arrives at the emergency room for a stroke. At Confluence Health, we have a carefully structured system that ensures patients receive the most efficient treatment depending on the severity of their treatment. We use the latest in evidence-based treatments to ensure our patients receive optimal care.

• Emergency medical services
• Emergency department
• Acute stroke teams
• Neurosurgical services
• Rapid Protocols for Mechanical Thrombectomy
• Interventional Neuroradiology services (through Transfer to Our Stroke Partner UW)
• Neuroimaging services (CT and MRI scanning capabilities)
• Laboratory services
• Written care protocols
• Stroke unit
• Commitment and support of a medical organization
• A Stroke Center Medical Director
• A Stroke Program RN Coordinator
• Outcome and quality improvement activities
• Continuing medical education for health-care professionals
• Subacute and Acute Rehab
• Outpatient/Inpatient Rehab, including the “Exo Skelton”
• Stroke Outcomes Nurses
• We Telemedicine with Harborview Medical Center

Medication Policy

Stroke drugs are medications designed to quickly break up blood clots that are blocking blood flow to the brain. This can spare the patient the need for surgery or other more invasive treatments, but only in cases where they receive care promptly.

In carefully considered cases, Confluence Health’s Stroke Team may offer a clot-busting medication such as TPA (tissue plasminogen activator). Time is critical though, and the patient must be brought in to the ED in under 4 hours, to ensure the best outcome. If additional clot retrieval is necessary, or the patient is not able to tolerate TPA because of preexisting conditions, we can rapidly transport the patient to our Comprehensive Level I Stroke Partner, Harborview.

Treatment for Hemorrhagic Strokes

A hemorrhagic stroke is one where a blood vessel in the brain breaks up and spills blood into the surrounding tissues. This type of stroke requires different treatment than the more common blood clot (ischemic) stroke. Our center is equipped to handle these events.

If a stroke is due to bleeding in the brain, neurosurgeons are available 24/7 through local coverage. If needed, we can put patients through our rapid transfer process to Harborview Medical Center should surgical intervention be called for.

• Dr. Kelly Condefer
  Medical Director

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  Teri McIntyre
  Stroke Program Manager

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  Jamie McElroy
  Stoke Outcomes RN