Phelps Awarded Stroke Center Designation
November 20, 2007
Phelps was recently designated as a Stroke Center by the New York State Department
of Health. This important designation, which was granted following a rigorous
application process, demonstrates that Phelps' program meets national standards
that radically improve outcomes for stroke patients. The purpose of the designation
is to achieve better results in stroke care and save lives.
When a stroke occurs, there is a short window of time to salvage the afflicted
brain. To reduce damage, it is critical that victims are diagnosed and treated
promptly. Research shows that patients treated at hospitals with a Stroke Center
designation have reduced morbidity and mortality, fewer complications, and improved
long-term outcomes.
The Phelps Stroke Center has on-site, state-of-the-art equipment needed to make
a quick and accurate diagnosis and, when indicated, to begin treatment with
clot-busting medications such as tissue plasminogen activator, commonly known
as tPA.
To be effective, this life-saving drug must be administered within three hours.
Local residents can save travel time, precious minutes, and reduce the chance
of complications with rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment at Phelps, a
community hospital that is closer to home. During hospital recuperation following
a stroke, local patients can be treated by their own doctors and be closer to
family and friends.
The Phelps Stroke Center designation signifies that Phelps has specialized staff
members who have undergone extensive training. Phelps' stroke team represents
a variety of medical and surgical disciplines, including the emergency department,
neurology, neurosurgery and radiology.
"Phelps is a unique community hospital, fully equipped to handle all levels
of care for stroke patients-from emergency room to intensive care to acute rehabilitation
to the discharge-which has many benefits for the patient," said Phelps
Stroke Center Director Dr. Sanda I. Carniciu, who is board certified in psychiatry,
neurology and c20linical neurophysiology. "We have an excellent nursing
team and admissions support staff who help get the job done and make the experience
easier and more comfortable for both patient and family."
Phelps offers a continuum of services for long-term rehabilitation, such as
physical, speech and occupational therapy, avoiding the need for patients to
transfer to other facilities that might be far away from their families. Rehabilitation
is also available at Kendal on Hudson, a continuing care retirement community
located on the hospital campus.
Phelps is the only community hospital in Westchester with inpatient rehabilitation
and an outpatient physical rehabilitation service that features actual living
settings, including a fully furnished bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, to help
stroke patients relearn daily living skills. For many stroke patients, carrying
out the simple activities of daily living, such as making a bed, bathing or
washing dishes becomes a great challenge. This unique apartment arrangement
helps to prepare patients to resume life at home more safely and successfully.
Also offered to patients are various cognitive development activities to "exercise"
the brain.
In addition, Phelps offers stroke education programs to inform the public how
to prevent stroke, recognize its symptoms, and where to go to get the best stroke
care.
Each year, roughly 700,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke, which
is caused by a blocked or bleeding artery in the brain. This means that, on
average, a stroke occurs every 45 seconds, killing more than 150,000 people
a year. Survivors often suffer severe debilitation, such as paralysis, diminished
reasoning, and the loss of speech, memory and vision, dramatically impacting
victims and their families.