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A stroke is a medical emergency. The signs of a stroke are usually very sudden and are not always obvious or dramatic. It is important to recognize subtle stroke symptoms because early treatment is the key to a successful recovery.
Saint Francis emergency centers are equipped to care for and stabilize stroke patients. Emergency centers are located across eastern Oklahoma in the following communities: Glenpool, Muskogee, Tulsa, southeast Tulsa and Vinita.
During a stroke every second counts. If you see someone experiencing these stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately.
While all Saint Francis emergency rooms can stabilize a stroke patient, Saint Francis Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital South, and Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee obtained special designations by DNV Healthcare to care for stroke patient
Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK, has been designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center and is prepared to treat all types of stroke. The Center includes a dedicated neurosurgery ICU and on-site neurosurgery 24/7. The team cares for complex stroke patients from across the region.
The Saint Francis Hospital stroke response team is prepared and ready to act. Upon arrival to the Saint Francis Trauma Emergency Center, a stroke patient is immediately taken for a computed tomography (CT) scan. The stroke alert nurse and team evaluate the patient and determine next steps.
Evaluation of stroke patients includes:
Stroke treatment options vary depending on the severity and type of stroke that occurred. For patients who experience an ischemic stroke (the most common type of stroke), receiving a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) within 90 minutes of stroke symptoms occurring helps them fare far better after three months than those patients who do not receive stroke treatment therapy in a timely manner.
The stroke team at Saint Francis Hospital represents many different departments working together. This team includes:
Nurses and staff of the stroke response team, as well as those working in the stroke treatment units at Saint Francis Hospital, go through additional training to support and care for the specialized needs of stroke patients and their families.
Questions about our stroke program?
For questions regarding the Saint Francis Hospital stroke program, contact Cameron Richardson, Program Manager, via email or by calling 918-501-0494.
Stroke care at Saint Francis Hospital includes four main units:
The team of stroke specialists at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK works hard to ensure every stroke patient they see gets the best care available. All of that work has paid off and we couldn't be more proud.
Saint Francis Hospital South and Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee are designated as Primary Stroke Centers and can treat most ischemic strokes locally. As a recognized Primary Stroke Center, doctors and staff provide a full spectrum of stroke care including diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education.
Most cases of ischemic stroke can be diagnosed, stabilized and treated — keeping more patients close to home. Hemorrhagic strokes can be diagnosed and stabilized, then sent to the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa for the continued care complex strokes require.