Florida Hospital Altamonte (see more articles like this)

When it comes to stroke in Seminole County, patients’ best hope is Florida Hospital Altamonte. Thanks to the Hospital’s newly opened Brain Attack Center and a collaboration with Seminole County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), care begins in the field and continues with rapid assessment and treatment in the Emergency Department (ED) through a process called “Code Gray.”

Created to provide faster diagnosis and treatment for stroke patients, the EMS team is specially trained to identify potential stroke victims in the field and transport them quickly so that a team of experts—the “Code Gray” team – including a neurologist, emergency department physician, emergency department nurse, CT technician and registration clerk – can be standing by when the patient arrives.
 
“During a stroke, precious brain tissue is destroyed which can lead to possible death or permanent disability – making every second of diagnosis and treatment count,” said Donna Holton, director of the Florida Hospital Altamonte ED.  “The new Brain Attack Center gives patients a faster diagnosis, reducing the risk of death.” 

Strokes caused by blood clots may be treated with a drug called TPA, which can only be administered to the patient within the first three hours of the time symptoms begin. Disability resulting from a stroke can be reduced by as much as 30 to 50 percent after receiving TPA. However, TPA is typically given to less than five percent of stroke patients, because they usually don’t get to the emergency department in time.  Because of the streamlined care at the new Brain Attack Center, more stroke patients are able to benefit from TPA.