Quick Response and Expert Stroke Care Saved Greg from Major Complications
August 2, 2022 was a day like any other. Greg was staying at his summer lake house on Lake Reynolds in Lawrence, Michigan with his wife, Jan and daughter, Pamela. That fateful morning, Greg got up to make coffee and stumbled uncontrollably through the kitchen.
“I was so dizzy. I felt like I was going to pass out,” said Greg.
Pamela spotted the signs of stroke right away. Her father’s stumbling and slurred speech made her spring into action and call 9-1-1. Within 10 minutes the Van Buren Emergency Medical Services (VBEMS) ambulance arrived. Paramedics made the call to take him directly to Bronson Methodist Hospital in downtown Kalamazoo due to his neurological symptoms.
When it comes to stroke care, Bronson’s advanced capabilities make it the region’s preferred destination for treatment of the brain and spine. Bronson Methodist Hospital is certified by The Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center (2015-Present), which recognizes the significant resources needed to treat the most complex stroke patients.
Before arriving to the hospital, the paramedics launched Bronson’s pre-stroke alert protocol by calling the emergency department care team so they could prepare for Greg’s arrival. As part of the protocol, a “stroke call down” also takes place when a patient arrives to alert Bronson’s medical staff what room the patient is in so they can receive treatment right away.
Once at the hospital, Greg received a CT scan to diagnose the stroke. Dr. Lindsay Bliss, neurovascular specialist, administered a clot-busting drug called tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) to begin treatment. This time-sensitive medication restores blood flow to the brain in patients with acute ischemic stroke, but only within a few hours after the onset of symptoms. Fortunately for Greg, this approach of care resulted in a lower risk of complications, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery than more complicated stroke emergencies.
Once stabilized in the emergency department, Greg was transferred to the neurocritical care unit where Dr. Larry Morgan, neurointensivist, and Jamie Warner, neuroscience nurse navigator, continued to monitor and treat him. Even though this was Greg’s second stroke at 82 years old, after also suffering from a heart attack, his outcome was positive. His stay at Bronson Methodist Hospital totaled five days.
Greg is a resident of Illinois, so instead of receiving continued care at Bronson, the case management team organized his transfer to a rehabilitation facility near his home, and Jamie also made sure to connect him with the cardiologist and neurologist he had previously seen for his medical conditions.
Greg attended physical therapy sessions through November 2022 to regain his mobility; today he walks freely and uses a cane on occasion. Overall, Greg is nearly back to full health because his family was quick to respond to his symptoms and the efficient care of the stroke experts at Bronson.
“I want to thank all the doctors and nurses who had a hand in my quick recovery,” Greg exclaimed. “Because of their fast response to my stroke and dedicated care, I am lucky to be alive and well today.”
