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Stroke Center

United Regional developed a Stroke initiative to increase public awareness of stroke, its risk factors and warning signs. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of adult disability, but most people do not even know they are at risk. Many do not understand the prevalence of the disease or understand what the risk factors are for stroke.

In addition to a broad educational campaign, United Regional will focus on its operational and clinical efforts to reduce the time it takes to diagnose stroke and be more aggressive in treating stroke.

"With the program, we are taking a unique approach to improve the health of our community. We are also bringing stroke on patients and their families for the communities we serve," said Nancy Townley, Senior Vice President of Operations.

The stroke program officially launched in February, 2007, and will allow United Regional to:

  • Help educate the community about stroke risk factors, warning signs and what to do in case of stroke;
  • Establish United Regional as a leader in stroke and neuroscience services.

The stroke program takes a multi-faceted approach to improving community health and patient outcomes. By focusing on educational efforts outside the hospital and internal processes that support advanced stroke care inside the hospital, United Regional is poised to solidify its position as a leader in stroke and neuroscience services.

"We need to close the gap in the educational level and awareness of stroke in our community," said Kim Lawson, RN, Clinical Manager of the Stroke Center. "Our program is a comprehensive way to engage specific patient population groups and community partners in the process. This is going to be an exciting time for us."

According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 75 percent of strokes could be prevented or delayed through management or elimination of risk factors. Those risk factors are:

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Carotid Artery Disease best practices to our organization while reducing the life-changing impact of
  • Smoking
  • Family history of strokes
  • Having had a prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
  • High cholesterol
  • Obesity

Another cause for concern is the fact that nearly half of all deaths from stroke happen before the victim can get to a hospital (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The most likely reason is that many people do not recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke. In fact, a recent survey revealed that only one-half of the respondents recognized sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg as a warning sign for stroke. (Source: VHA, Inc.)

The warning signs for stroke are:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, or trouble walking
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause

The stroke program is a long-term effort that will focus on education, prevention, behavior change and sustaining those changes. It will also prepare United Regional staff to provide "best practice" care to our community, while continually seeking ways to improve and enhance the processes already in place.

United Regional has a responsibility as a health care organization to be a leader in educating our community about stroke and its risk factors. This program ensures the use of proven education, technologies and treatments, all designed to provide excellence in health care," said Nancy Townley.


United Regional has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers. United Regional earned this distinction after the Joint Commission conducted an unannounced on-site review in February, 2007.

Need more information about any of our services?

For more information, please contact "Call-A-Nurse" at 800-982-9799, 940-764-8570 or use our online Call-A-Nurse form.