Welcome to MASN

Stroke patients who receive tPA within three hours of the onset of stroke symptoms are at least 30 percent more likely to recover with little or no disability after three months. Expert staff at Saint Louis University Hospital wanted to find a solution in response to the countless number of stroke patients who were not receiving adequate stroke treatment throughout our region. Therefore, in May 2008 after months of conducting research and soliciting support, Saint Louis University Hospital officially launched the MidAmerica Stroke Network, promoting quality stroke care measures throughout the region.

The MidAmerica Stroke Network provides critical care to stroke patients and has been a point of pride for our hospital. Here are just a few aspects of the Network that we are proud of:

• Founded in late 2007
• Certified Stroke Center of Excellence by the Joint Commission
• 24 hour access to care, 7 days a week
• Triple Gold Achievement Award from the AHA
• Resources  

We are extremely appreciative of the members who have joined our Network. Their interest and commitment directly impacts critical access to care and stroke awareness regionally.

Together we can make a difference!

Join us on Saturday, September 25, for Brain School at the City Museum! School yourself in stroke prevention! In one day, you will learn how to nurture a healthy brain and understand strategies to prevent stroke. Brain School will feature the St. Louis debut of the MEGA Brain, a Q&A style speaker series and free blood pressure, cholesterol and stroke risk screenings. Free general admission to the City Museum for Brain School is provided for the first 500 people that register!

Award-Winning Hospital

Saint Louis University Hospital is the ONLY hospital in Missouri and Illinois, and one of only 13 in the United States to receive the Gold award for Heart Attack, Heart Failure and Stroke from the American Heart Association.

Saint Louis University Hospital’s team was recently recognized for efforts in delivering care that’s consistent with the American Heart Association’s most up-to-date scientific guidelines for the treatment of coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke. Triple Gold Performance Achievement in all three Get with the GuidelinesSM quality improvement programs is one more reason that exemplary care is close at hand.

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tPA Medication Update

Tissue plasmonigen activator (tPA) is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the acute treatment of ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain. tPA - a powerful clot buster injected intravenously - dissolves the blood clot, freeing up the flow of blood and oxygen. As with most stroke treatments, tPA is most effective when administered within the first 180 minutes from the onset of symptoms.

According to a five year study by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, stroke patients who receive tPA within three hours of the onset of stroke symptoms are at least 30 percent more likely to recover with little or no disability after three months. Although tPA is tested and proven to be an effective form of treatment for eligible stroke patients, it is administered to less than three percent of stroke patients in hospitals across the United States.

Recognizing tPA as a valuable treatment in stroke care, one of the MidAmerica Stroke Network’s goals is to increase the administration of tPA within 180 minutes of the onset of stroke symptoms among eligible patients. The MidAmerica Stroke Network assists in providing current and clinically-effective stroke care to patients by connecting member hospitals with 24-hour access to stroke specialists and providing educational opportunities on the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of stroke.

Through shared expertise, best practices and the latest technology, the MidAmerica Stroke Network is working to improve patient outcomes by increasing the quality of stroke care throughout the region.