Find out about the Secondary Stroke Clinic
Stroke Resource Guide for Survivors and Families
Tips on having a healthy holiday season
Check out the August 2007 Newsletter here
Healthy Links Page
< Dr. Eric Irvine, a member of the District Stroke Team
uses Tele-Stroke to consult with other experts in stroke.
BRANT IS AT RISK!
Did you know that Brant is above the provincial average for risk factors leading to stroke? If you have high blood pressure, smoke, are overweight or suffer from heart disease you are among the individuals at risk for stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability.
Ontario Stroke Strategy
In 2000, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care partnered with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario to establish the Ontario Stroke Strategy. The objectives are to ensure that all individuals who have suffered a stroke receive optimal care wherever in the province they have suffered a stroke.
Vision Statement
“To provide equitable access to best practice stroke care across the continuum, achieved through the establishment of a coordinated stroke network.”
District Stroke Centre
Brantford General Hospital received designation as a District Stroke Centre on March of 2004. We participate in ongoing education/training in stroke care and providing coordinated stroke services based on best practices and evidence.
We provide support to the following communities:
Brant, Haldimand & Norfolk Counties.
We receive leadership, support, education and neurosurgical services from our Regional Stroke Centres, Hamilton Health Sciences.
BCHS Vision
“A healthier community is at the centre of everything we do.”
tPA (Tissue Plasminogen- Actvator)
tPA is a “clot buster” that can be used to treat strokes caused by a clot. It must be given within 3 hours of the onset of stroke symptoms. A special medical team must give this drug. Therefore, you must arrive at BGH within 2 hours of onset of stroke symptoms. Arriving at BGH does not necessarily mean that you will get tPA as part of your treatment. The physician will decide if the medication is appropriate for your case.
Ambulance Bypass
An important mandate of our district strategy is to ensure access to tPA for all stroke patients in the Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties. Patients showing signs and symptoms of a stroke need to be transported to the nearest District Stroke Centre that provides tPA. Once assessed and treated, patients will be transferred to the hospital closest to their home within 24 -48 hrs. to receive care as close to home as possible.
Recognize the warning signs of a stroke:
- Sudden weakness, numbness or tingling
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden vision problems
- Sudden severe headache
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
If you think you or someone you know may be having a stroke, call 911 immediately. Even if these symptoms appear to go away quickly, seek medical attention immediately.
Clustering Stroke Patients
All patients with a diagnosis of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or acute stroke that require an admission to hospital will be admitted to the B7 Medical Unit. The nurses on this medical unit have been trained in acute stroke care management and all stroke patients have an "Acute Stroke Care Path" to guide their care. After their stay on the clustered stroke unit, the stroke survivor may go to rehabilitation, or be discharged to another facility or home. The stroke survivor will receive health teaching specific to their stroke and receive a "Stoke Survivor Companion". This tool will have personal health information related to the stroke and allows them to track their care, medications, doctor's visits and therapy during their recovery. We have information for the stroke survivor and their families on community programs they can attend after discharge to assist with their recovery.
Rehabilitation Services
The Brant Community Healthcare System has an In-patient Rehabilitation unit located in B wing, level 2, at the Brantford General site.
Rehabilitation is an active and coordinated process where people who are disabled by disease, injury, or surgery work to regain their best level of independence.
The Rehabilitation services at the Brant Community Healthcare System include a variety of services aimed at victims of stroke.
All individuals who require rehabilitation services will receive timely, effective and patient-focused services in partnership with family, providers, and the community.
Contact information
For further information, please contact:
Anne Campbell
District Stroke Coordinator
519-751-5544, extension 4451
or visit the Heart and Stroke website 
The Heart and Stroke Foundation have launched a new Multilingual & Multicultural section of their website. It is now up and online and can be found at:
English: www.heartandstroke.ca/multilingual
French: http://ww2.fmcoeur.ca/Page.asp?PageID=2003&CategoryID=61&Src=multi
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