Patients suffering from stroke require a quick response and accurate diagnosis
in the critical short window that follows the attack. This approach is
vital to reducing a patient’s risk of long-term disability and death.
Antelope Valley Medical Center’s stroke response team has a proven
track record for demonstrating extraordinary efficiency and expertise
in stroke care. The hospital treats more than 700 cases of stroke every
year and is the only facility in the region to offer advanced stroke treatment
and procedures to treat the most severe types of stroke.
Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification
Antelope Valley Medical Center has achieved the Gold Seal of Approval for
its Advanced Stroke Program accredited from The Joint Commission and the
Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency. This designation
signifies that AVMC has the equipment, infrastructure, staff, and training
programs needed to provide care based on the most current research and
standards to foster better outcomes for patients with stroke. As a Primary
Stroke Center, AVMC is committed to providing timely care to quickly treat
acute stroke victims.
To learn more about additional designations awarded to AVMC's Stroke Program,
please visit our
Awards page.
Thrombectomy Capable Center
Antelope Valley Medical Center received certification from DNV as a Primary
Plus Stroke Center, affirming the hospital’s readiness to handle
a full spectrum of stroke care – diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation
and education. DNV is the first accreditation body to issue a Stroke Plus
Certification, making Antelope Valley Medical Center a Thrombectomy Capable Center.
As a Thrombectomy Capable Center, AVMC performs Mechanical Thrombectomy
(clot retrieval), which is a procedure for patients experiencing an ischemic
stroke caused by a blockage in a large vessel in the brain. A catheter
is inserted into a blood vessel along with a device to physically remove
the blockage from the blocked vessel in the brain. Patients are only eligible
up to the first 24-hours after their stroke began. This procedure is performed
by an interventional neurologist and AVMC is currently the only hospital
in the region with the capability to perform this procedure.
The DNV Primary Plus Stroke Center Certification is based on standards
set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association.
Stroke Care at Antelope Valley Medical Center
Providing exceptional care to stroke patients takes the dedication and
collaboration of multiple people and departments within a hospital. Stroke
care at AVMC begins before a patient even arrives at the door and continues
after discharge.
Before hospital arrival, the Emergency Medical Services is in contact with
the Emergency Department and communicates important information about
patients with signs of a stroke. This allows members of the stroke treatment
team to be ready to respond when the patient arrives.
Patients with signs of stroke are quickly assessed, and brain scans are
performed to confirm the diagnosis of stroke and determine which treatments
the patient is eligible for.
Common stroke treatments and procedures include:
Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA): A medication given for patients with an ischemic stroke that can break
down the blockage in the brain. This medication can only be given within
the first 4.5 hours of a stroke occurring.
Mechanical Thrombectomy (clot retrieval): A procedure for patients with an ischemic stroke caused by a blockage
in a large vessel in the brain. A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel
along with a device to physically remove the blockage from the blocked
vessel in the brain. Patients are only eligible up to the first 24 hours
after their stroke began.
This procedure is performed by an interventional neurologist and AVMC is
currently the only hospital in the region with the capability to perform
this procedure.
Endovascular Coiling: A procedure performed for patients with a brain aneurysm. A minimally invasive
catheter-based procedure is used to block off an aneurysm using coils.
Surgical Clipping: This is a surgical procedure that is also used to treat an aneurysm performed
by a neurosurgeon. A clip is placed on the aneurysm to seal it off.
Craniectomy: A life-saving surgical procedure performed by a neurosurgeon where a portion
of the skull is removed and can help reduce pressure on the brain. Some
patients with large strokes or hemorrhagic strokes may benefit from this
procedure.
Ventriculostomy: A catheter inserted into the head by a neurosurgeon that can help monitor
pressure and drain fluid. Some patients with large strokes or hemorrhagic
strokes may benefit from this procedure.
What Happens at the Hospital After a Stroke Has Been Diagnosed?
The type of stroke and severity of a patient’s symptoms determines
where they go after the Emergency Department. Some patients may need to
stay in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit for frequent monitoring. This includes
patients that receive tPA, have endovascular or surgical procedures, large
strokes, or strokes caused by bleeding in the brain. Patients who do not
require this higher level of care will be admitted to the Stroke Unit.
No matter which unit the patient is sent to, they are cared for by nurses
who are specially trained to treat stroke.
Stroke treatment at Antelope Valley Medical Center focuses not only on
recovery, but also on prevention of further strokes. Patients are educated
about their personal risk factors for stroke, as well as things they can
do to reduce their risk for another stroke.
A stroke can be a disabling and life-changing event that impacts the whole
family. At AVMC, we strive to include the family or caretaker in education,
goal setting, and the discharge planning process. AVMC has in-house rehabilitation
services 7-days a week for patients with deficits caused by their stroke.
The rehabilitation team helps assess the patient’s needs and initiates
therapy that can be continued after discharge. Case managers are involved
when patients require further care after their hospital stay or who will
need extra support to return home—ensuring that the patient is discharged
to the appropriate setting and has the tools they need to succeed in the
next steps of their care can profoundly impact their recovery and improve
quality of life.
You may contact a stroke care team member, by calling the Stroke Program
manager at
(661) 949-5748, or the Stroke Clinical Coordinator at
(661) 949-5854.
