Primary Stroke Centers (Essay Sample)

Primary Stroke Centers
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Primary Stroke Centers
Primary stroke centers are special healthcare facilities that treat acute stroke patients and determine patients who require transfer to a higher level of care, such as comprehensive stroke centers. Primary stroke centers are certified by the Joint Commission if they meet standards for assessing, diagnosing, and treating stroke patients. These healthcare facilities provide resuscitation, stabilization, and evaluation of the stroke victim through a dedicated stroke-focused program and individualized care by qualified medical professionals trained in stroke care. The features of primary stroke centers entail access to neurological services within two hours of arrival, MRI and CT scan equipment, taking care of most stroke cases, and ensuring the transfer of complex patients. The healthcare centers have a median bed count of 263. The specialized services offered include intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA), intra-arterial thrombectomy (IA therapy), discharge medications for atrial fibrillation and lipid-lowering, and deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis in appropriate patients. However, primary stroke centers do not offer minimally-invasive catheter procedures, and there is no requirement for a specialized intensive care unit for stroke patients.
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There are nine major brain areas affected by stroke; thus, the effects of stroke vary depending on the affected area. These areas control the body's sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. The physical effects of stroke include difficulty in holding things, limited ability to perform physical exercise, weakness on one side of the body, changes in sensation, and incontinence. These effects have a lasting impact on stroke victims as two-thirds of the employed cannot return to work. Stroke injuries can be mental as people find it hard to