Saddleback Memorial - Laguna Hills Designated as a Stroke Receiving Center

Laguna Hills, Calif. (June 8, 2009) – Saddleback Memorial Medical Center was recently designated as an official stroke-neurology receiving center by Orange County Health Care Agency as part of the Nation’s first program to direct patients to designated centers. The new program will offer highly trained medical experts and leading edge technologies, setting a new standard of care for stroke patients.

Recent medical research shows that certain stroke treatments result in better outcomes for stroke victims. These treatment methods require early identification of stroke and immediate care by stroke experts. “For the Stroke-Neurology Program to be effective, time to treatment must be minimal and expert medical care must always be available,” said Dr. Samuel Stratton, Medical Director of the Health Care Agency’s Emergency Medical Services division.

The Health Care Agency worked with a coalition of stroke advocates to develop Stroke-Neurology Receiving Center criteria with an emphasis on quality of care, patient safety and 24-hour availability of Neurologists, Neurosurgeons, Radiologists, Nurses and Emergency Medicine physicians who are experts in managing stroke patients. These professionals use specialized neurological techniques that have been shown to provide the best outcomes for stroke patients. “Bringing patients to a hospital that specializes in treating acute stroke will provide a tremendous advantage in surviving and limiting stroke effects,” said Dr. Stratton.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and it is critical that stroke treatment is administered quickly. According to the American Stroke Association these are some of the warning signs of stroke:

•Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body •Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding •Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes •Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination •Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

“Saddleback Memorial is committed to providing the best patient outcomes and getting patients back to enjoying life. We have the resources and a dedicated interdisciplinary team in place to effectively treat stroke patients,” says LaDonna Butler, RN, chief operating officer, Saddleback Memorial Medical Center.