Hospitals in Owen Sound, Goderich to become designated stroke centres in the region

Grey Bruce Health Services in Owen Sound, and the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich are set to become designated stroke centres this spring, part of the South West Stroke Project to realign stroke care in the South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).

The announcement was made Thursday by the South West LHIN, the Stroke Project, and the South Bruce Grey Health Centre which includes hospitals in Kincardine, Walkerton, Durham and Chesley. Officials believe that setting up seven designated stroke centres will ensure people who have a stroke or TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack or mini-stroke) receive the best possible stroke care, and achieve the best possible outcomes.

Paul Rosebush, president and chief executive officer of the South Bruce Grey Health Centre said the goal is to make sure local patients have the best health outcomes after a serious incident, such as  a stroke.

"Changes to stroke care for the residents of Grey and Bruce counties will ensure that expert, comprehensive care is provided in a centre of excellence within our region,” he said.

When asked how this affects stroke care at the Kincardine hospital, Rosebush said that patients who present in Kincardine or other health centre hospital sites, will still be treated on-site for stroke symptoms.

"The protocol will encourage communication between hospitals in the southwest region and a designated stroke centre in the management of patients who present with symptoms of a stroke," he said. "Communication between the local Emergency Room (ER) physician and a designated stroke centre will determine where treatment is best provided. The protocol is intended to be fully implemented in March.

"Emergency medical services (EMS) is another important partner in this regional initiative that was advanced by the South West LHIN, following lengthy collaboration with health care partners and experts."

When asked how these changes improve stroke care if a patient must be sent to Owen Sound or Goderich, rather than remaining in Kincardine, Rosebush said that evidence presented by the South West Regional Stroke Care team has demonstrated that patients experience better health outcomes when they receive treatment at a designated stroke centre where intensive rehabilitation services exist.

"Mortality rates were shown to be lower for such patients and rehabilitation results were superior," he said. "Individuals experiencing signs and symptoms of a stroke should call EMS (911) or go to the nearest hospital."

He added that information about the report and recommendations leading to the establishment of this protocol can be obtained from the South West LHIN at www.southwestlhin.on.ca/.

With a stroke, every minute counts, so it is vitally important for people, who are having the signs of stroke, to call 911 immediately so the paramedics can begin care as quickly as possible en route to the closest designated stroke centre. View the Grey Bruce 911 stroke video about the importance of calling 911.

Each year in the South West LHIN, about 3,500 people in emergency departments are diagnosed with a stroke/TIA or a suspected stroke/TIA.

“In realigning stroke services, we are helping to ensure people across the South West LHIN are getting equitable access to best practice stroke care," said Michael Barrett, chief executive officer of the South West LHIN. "Stroke survivors have the best outcomes when they are cared for in a centre that specializes in stroke services and provides best practice care. These changes to how we deliver stroke care are helping to reduce mortality and improve the outcomes of stroke survivors throughout our geography.”

“Recognizing the signs and symptoms of stroke and calling 911 immediately, ensure paramedics can begin stroke care quickly and get the patient to the appropriate hospital for prompt treatment,” said Raymond Lux, acting chief of Bruce County Paramedic Services.

“Grey County Paramedic Services is pleased to partner with the South West Stroke Project and local health care facilities to ensure patients, having a stroke, receive the highest possible level of care,” said Mike Muir, director, Grey County Paramedic Services.

To improve care and outcomes, inpatient acute and rehabilitative stroke care in the South West LHIN will be realigned to the following designated stroke centres by March, 2017:
 

• London Health Sciences Centre’s University Hospital – hyperacute and acute
• Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance’s Stratford General Hospital – hyperacute, acute and inpatient rehabilitation
• Grey Bruce Health Services’ Owen Sound Hospital - hyperacute, acute and inpatient rehabilitation
• St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital - acute and inpatient rehabilitation
• St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Parkwood Institute – inpatient rehabilitation
• Woodstock Hospital – inpatient rehabilitation
• Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (Goderich) – telestroke services

Realignment of stroke care in Grey-Bruce to the designated stroke centres, will be complete in March, 2017. For more information on the South West Stroke Project: swostroke.ca/about-swsp