When a stroke occurs, time is of the essence. It’s important to know the warning signs of a stroke and seek treatment immediately.

UPMC Western Maryland is designated a Primary Stroke Center by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services System (MIEMSS).  Similar to the concept used for Maryland’s trauma centers, this designation indicates our commitment to having the resources in place to maintain high standards for stroke care. UPMC Western Maryland also holds the Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award for stroke as well as the Target Honor Roll Elite Plus, both awarded by the American Heart Association.

“The [UPMC Western Maryland] Stroke Center gives patients access to a team of multidisciplinary providers who collaborate to deliver a high level of care for stroke patients,” explains Jennifer Suter, RN, Stroke Care Coordinator. “Our stroke response team meets the patients once they arrive in the ED so care begins immediately.  Most importantly our three neurologists are highly dedicated to the care of our patients, sharing on-call time to provide 24/7 stroke care.”

The stroke team at UPMC Western Maryland consists of neurologists, neurosurgeons, the Emergency Department, Radiology Department, Progressive Care and Intensive Care Units, and staff from Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapy, and the Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. This expansive team treats patients with effective care to minimize the permanent effects a stroke can leave.

As a Gold Plus award-winning center, UPMC Western Maryland supports stroke patients even after discharge. Patients have the benefit of staying within the hospital for their outpatient rehabilitation, providing them with all the resources of acute care if needed. Additionally, patients can have continued care by the same neurologist that treated them as an inpatient. Following rehabilitation, patients are invited to take part in a stroke support group that meets monthly at UPMC Western Maryland.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association recognizes UPMC Western Maryland for achieving 85% or higher compliance with all Get With The Guidlines® – Stroke Achievement Measures and 75% or higher compliance with five or more Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Quality Measures for two or more consecutive years and achieving Thrombolytic Therapy  ≤ 60 minutes 75% and ≤ 45 minutes 50% or more of applicable acute ischemic stroke patients to improve quality of patient care and outcomes.

For more information about the stroke program at UPMC Western Maryland, please call Jennifer Suter at 240.964.1081.

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