MICHAEL KAMINSKI, MD

Just as time is muscle when it comes to heart attacks, time is brain when treating stroke.

Stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts. Without blood and the oxygen it carries, part of the brain begins to die. The part of the body controlled by the damaged area of the brain can't work properly. Brain damage can begin within minutes, so it is important to know the symptoms of stroke and act fast. Quick treatment can help limit damage to the brain and increase the chance of a full recovery.

Today, stroke remains the leading cause of disability in the United States.

About 750,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. On average a stroke occurs every 45 seconds. Stroke is the # 3 cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. Of every five deaths from stroke, two occur in men and three in women. Rates of stroke death are higher for black men and women.

Saint Thomas Health Services, which includes Saint Thomas Hospital, Baptist Hospital and Middle Tennessee Medical Center, treats 43 percent of stroke cases in Middle Tennessee. Approximately 1,000 patients were treated in our three hospitals last year.

These three hospitals together are the largest provider of stroke care in the region. As primary stroke centers, the hospitals of STHS work together to collaborate on methods that provide the highest level of stroke care. Saint Thomas Hospital also participates in endovascular approaches in stroke care and clinical trials. Many strokes are caused by blood clots traveling to the heart and in specific cases physicians can enter the brain's circulation to retrieve the blood clot and restore blood flow to the brain. Saint Thomas Hospital is working with hospitals around the world on the SENTIS Trial to investigate the role of increased blood flow to the brain during specific types of acute stroke.

Additionally, The Joint Commission has awarded Saint Thomas Hospital Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification. Saint Thomas Hospital earned this distinction after the Joint Commission conducted an on-site review on March 5, 2009, as part of their recertification process. Saint Thomas Hospital first received Stroke Center Certification in February 2007. Baptist Hospital and MTMC are also certified Joint Commission Primary Stroke Centers.

The certification process is designed to help organizations continuously provide safe, high-quality care, treatment, and services. Hospitals are encouraged by the Joint Commission to use the certification process as a continuous standards compliance and operational improvement tool.

The Joint Commission's Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association's statements/guidelines for stroke care.

Today, through our efforts as an integrated health system, our stroke programs provide coordinated services from stroke prevention to rehabilitation. This collaboration brings added value to our patients. All of our hospitals participate in the 'Get with the Guidelines' program from the American Heart Association, as well as being certified as stroke centers by the Joint Commission.

Additionally, systemwide efforts review quality data and share best practices. These efforts result in the highest quality of efficient, patient-centered care.

Saint Thomas Health Services has demonstrated leadership in stroke care in Middle Tennessee by implementing:

• Standardized care exceeding the national standards for stroke care
• Added value by offering innovative acute stroke care options and clinical trials
• Shared resources across our health system, resulting in improved access for patients
• Networking and outreach opportunities with hospitals in our region.