Sudbury hospital designated as regional stroke centre

Sudbury Regional Hospital (HRSRH) was recently designated as a regional stroke centre.

“This is a very important designation,” says Darren Jermyn, the Regional Stroke Program manager at the hospital, said in a press release.

“It is a recognition of the excellent care we already provide to our patients who suffer strokes, and it puts us in the same category as other Regional Stroke Centres in places such as Toronto, London, and Ottawa.”

Every year, about 450 people come to the emergency department at HRSRH with suspected signs of stroke. About 350 are admitted to hospital.

The HRSRH offers both inpatient and outpatient services for stroke patients. Inpatient services include the delivery of acute stroke thrombolytic therapy (clot-busting drug therapy) in the Emergency Department, a dedicated Acute Stroke Unit, and the Intensive Rehabilitation Unit.

Outpatient services include a Stroke Prevention Clinic in which patients who have been treated for a mild stroke are given further testing within a week to determine if they are at risk for a major stroke. The Outpatient Stroke Re-check Clinic provides follow-up care to stroke patients who have been discharged from hospital. They are seen by a multidisciplinary team at the six-week, three-month, and one-year intervals.

“Becoming a Regional Stroke Centre was made possible by the move to our new acute care site and the tremendous work of our Stroke Team in developing the Acute Stroke Unit,” Dr. Denis Roy, president and CEO of the HRSRH, said.

“Having all of our stroke services on one site allows us to be more effective and efficient in the care we are able to provide our patients.”

The hospital is planning to introduce a new stroke outpatient service in June, involving a Stroke Community Navigator, who will help stroke patients reintegrate back into the community, and help them access any needed services such as transportation, respite care, meals, leisure services, and support groups.

“This designation is a testament to the hard work, dedication and expertise of the Sudbury Regional Hospital’s health care professionals, “ Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Sudbury MPP said. “The high quality health care services offered by the Stroke Centre are having a tremendous positive impact in our community.”