Neuroscience Center of Excellence

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) has awarded Sarasota Memorial national certification for Primary Stroke Center with distinction!

The Neuroscience Center of Excellence is designed to provide a continuous level of expertise in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of the neurological and neurosurgical patient. The Stroke Program has specifically been selected for development due to its strategic importance to the overall direction of the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.  Services include:

	Brain Injury Brain Tumor Stroke Chronic Headaches Pain Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders Back Injuries Alzheimer's Disease Guillain-Barre syndrome Multiple Sclerosis Myasthenia Gravis Parkinson's Disease Dizziness & Vestibular Disorders

About Stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of serious disability in the United States and the 3rd leading cause of death. At Sarasota Memorial, an average of 425 patients are treated for stroke every year. A specialized team of stroke experts have come together to dedicate themselves to constantly improving the care of the stroke patient in our community. Sarasota Memorial provides a complete continuum of care for stroke patients.

Specialized Emergency Care for Stroke

Sarasota County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) follow a distinct set of protocols when stroke is suspected. EMS communicates immediately to Sarasota Memorial's Emergency Care Center (ECC) providing information crucial for determining appropriate treatment. Patients arriving at the ECC with stroke symptoms are treated promptly and evaluated to see if they meet criteria for the clot busting drug tPA. Medication for a stroke must be given within a 3-hour (180-minute) window from the onset of symptoms. The medication works to decrease disability resulting from the stroke. Patients diagnosed with a stroke are admitted to a specialized stroke unit.

Inpatient Care

Sarasota Memorial's stroke unit provides a team of highly trained experts including physicians, nurses, neuro-radiologists and others to care for the stroke patient. The "Stroke Rehab Team" which includes physical and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists also see the patient within the first days of hospitalization. The earlier rehabilitation can begin, the better the outcome for stroke patients. Case managers and social workers in conjunction with physicians determine the next level of care for stroke patients as they progress in recovery.

Comprehensive Rehabilitation

The Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit (CRU) is dedicated to patients who have experienced conditions such as strokes. On CRU, the ultimate goal is to return the patient to as independent a lifestyle as possible. Because of the tremendous advances in stroke treatment and rehabilitation techniques, the outlook for stroke patients has never been more hopeful.

CRU's physical, occupational and recreational therapists, speech-language pathologists, certified rehabilitation registered nurses, case managers, and social workers work with psychologists and physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians), as well as the patient and family to determine the course of treatment. Successful stroke rehabilitation is dependent on many factors, including the degree of brain injury and the cooperation of the patient, family and support system. A patient's positive outlook and high level of determination are key factors in recovery.

Outpatient Stroke Program

The Outpatient Stroke Program has been designed to follow the inpatient rehabilitation program with a continuation of treatment in an outpatient setting. Physical, occupational and aquatic therapy, speech-language pathology, social services and neuro-psychology are provided under the direction of a physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation physician).

In addition to treatment, this program also has a strong focus on education. Information on stroke management, diet, home set-up, social and emotional needs and home exercise programs are provided to patients and their families to help prepare them for care at home.

Other services available in the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System for neuroscience and stroke patients include: