Stroke Program

In simple terms, a stroke is actually a “brain attack.” The number one rule is to act FAST. The longer your brain is deprived of oxygen, the more damage is done.

Time = brain function.

That means, please err on the side of caution. If you think you might possibly be having a stroke, call 9-1-1 and get help immediately. We would rather inform you it was a false alarm than witness significant brain damage because you didn’t want to feel embarrassed or make a fuss.

Symptoms of stroke include:

  • Weakness in arms, legs, or face/smile (especially on only one side of the body)
  • Sudden vision changes
  • Severe dizziness
  • Loss of balance or coordination
  • Confusion or talking gibberish
  • Sudden, severe headache that lingers for a few days or one that is different than any headache you’ve ever had before.

For more information about recognizing stroke symptoms and how to help,  click here to  watch two members of our Bellin Stroke Program discuss risk factors and tips on WFRV Channel 5.

 

You’re in Good Hands

We take this rule seriously. The Bellin Health Stroke Team, in coordination with local EMS providers, has created an award-winning stroke program that ensures stroke patients arriving at Bellin receive a CT scan within mere minutes.

Thanks to this program of rapid diagnosis and exceptional treatment, Bellin Health has been certified as a Primary Stroke Center. Furthermore, Bellin is one of only three hospitals in Wisconsin – one of 17 nationwide – to receive the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus Award.

Cooperating for Your Best Interests

What really matters to you is that you’re getting the timely, coordinated care you need for the best possible outcome. To that end, the Stroke Program at Bellin Health is part of a larger community effort to ensure stroke patients get the right level of care at the right time. We cooperate with other hospitals throughout Northeast Wisconsin to share access to elite specialists and unique procedures.

Bellin Hospital continues to annually receive the  American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s (AHA/ASA) Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus achievement award. Hospitals receiving Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Achievement Award have reached an aggressive goal of treating (heart failure or stroke) patients with 85 percent or higher compliance to core standard levels of care as outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for 24 consecutive months. In addition, those hospitals have demonstrated 75 percent compliance to (four out of nine heart failure quality measures or seven out of ten stroke quality measures) during the 12-month period.

Bellin Health is a Primary Stroke Program that employs education, prevention, hospital care, and follow-up care. This program has resulted in fewer recurrences for stroke patients. Through better stroke education in schools, Bellin hopes to reduce overall stroke incidents for years to come.