If you have a stroke in Sarnia, you'll receive first-rate care.
Bluewater Health has been recognized as a high performer in the province when it comes to stroke care.
In the 2018 Ontario Stroke Report Card, the hospital leads the province for the third consecutive year for the highest percentage of ischemic or clot causing stroke patients receiving carotid imaging during their acute inpatient stay.
Rehabilitation, Stroke/Vascular and Dialysis Director Paula Gilmore says they've also been recognized as a leader for the second year for having the lowest proportion of Alternate Level of Care (ALC) days to the total length of stay in acute care.
"Bluewater Health is really making strides in moving patients across the system of care in a very efficient way, ensuring that they are receiving the right care, at the right time, by the right providers," says Gilmore. "In this respect, we're very fortunate to have an acute stroke unit at Bluewater Health with expert staff that are aware of the patients needs and transition those patients very quickly when they're ready for more intensive rehabilitation to our intensive inpatient rehabilitation unit for that care."
But, Gilmore says there is always room for improvement.
"The report card spans 20 indicators that are across the continuum of care and where improvement could be found, is actually with people calling 911 after they've experienced the signs and symptoms of a stroke," she says.
The FAST acronym helps people identify those symptoms.
Facial drooping. Arm weakness. Speech difficulties. Time to call 911 right away.
Bluewater Health says time is critical in the event of a stroke and the sooner people access medical help following signs and symptoms the better the outcome.