Every second counts when a stroke strikes. That's why national guidelines recommend that hospital staff examine stroke patients and administer clot-busting medication, if appropriate, as soon as possible.

TeleStroke at ARMC
ARMC recently added an advanced telecommunication system, called TeleStroke, that allows doctors to evaluate and treat patients even faster.

ARMC staff can bring the TeleStroke system to a patient's bedside anywhere in the hospital. Using videoconferencing, stroke specialists can examine patients, review their vital signs and interact with patients, families and ER staff electronically. This allows doctors to make prompt treatment decisions that may save patients' lives.

Enhances Stroke Program
"The new system is revolutionizing stroke care," says Aaron Heide, M.D., a board-certified vascular neurologist and fellowship-trained stroke specialist at ARMC. "If I'm not at the hospital, I can see and evaluate patients from my home or office at any time. This allows me to treat patients faster than I ever have before."

Doctors can examine and treat patients remotely using TeleStroke videoconferencing.

Staff members at ARMC have been working over the past few years to comply with or exceed national standards and develop a comprehensive stroke program.

Act Fast if Stroke Strikes
Stroke symptoms typically strike suddenly. Call 911 right away if you or someone you know experiences any of the following:

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg. Symptoms typically affect one side of the body.
• Confusion
• Difficulty speaking or understanding
• Dizziness
• Loss of coordination or balance
• Difficulty walking
• Vision problems
• Severe headache with no known cause

Don't Become a Stroke Statistic
Don't wait until you suffer a stroke to take action that could save your life. Ask your doctor about your personal risk for stroke and actions you can take to lower your risk. He or she may recommend that you:

• Control chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes
• Adopt a healthy diet
• Quit smoking
• Lose excess weight
• Exercise regularly
• Manage the stress in your life

Know the Signs of Stroke
To learn more about stroke and related symptoms, please visit www.auburnregional.com. Click on Hospital Services in the left column, and then Stroke.

202 North Division St., Auburn, WA 98001 (253) 833-7711, FAX: (253) 939-2376