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The MidAmerica Stroke Network
The MidAmerica Stroke Network, founded by Saint Louis University Hospital, is a collaborative system of hospitals designed to provide current and clinically-effective stroke care to patients throughout the region. Currently, there is a shortage of neurologists and neurosurgeons in the United States. This shortage of specialists often causes a delay in the critical care that stroke patients need. Recognizing that many rural and community hospitals could benefit from a close partnership with a certified stroke center, the Network provides critical support to member hospitals. By joining the Network, these Network member hospitals show a continued commitment to improving stroke care measures.
Through the sharing of clinical skills, quality measures and educational opportunities, Network member hospitals can better care for stroke patients. In addition to stroke care training, member hospitals have 24-hour access to the consultative and diagnostic services of SLUCare neuro-specialists. The MidAmerica Stroke Network also provides stroke patients in need of further neuro-critical care with express transportation services and state-of-the-art technology for the treatment of stroke.
The objective of the MidAmerica Stroke Network is to better care for stroke patients and minimize the long-term effects caused by stroke. The Network's main goals are to:
- Provide expert remote support in the clinical evaluation of acute stroke patients;
- Provide expert remote support in the interpretation of images of the brain within 25 minutes of the patient's arrival at the critical access or community hospital;
- Increase the administration of tissue plasmonigen activator (tPA) - a powerful clot buster injected intravenously - within 180 minutes of the onset of stroke symptoms among eligible patients; and
- Assist Network members in achieving, monitoring and maintaining quality stroke measures as recommended by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the American Heart Association.