Vascular surgeons, cardiologists, internal medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians are also part of the care team allowing us to offer care for those with a minor stroke to those in a more complex situation. Our team treats patients before, during and after suffering a stroke, through preventive, emergent and rehabilitative care.

Our Stroke Program helped author and participate in the American Stroke Association "Get With The Guidelines®" Quality Initiative. We have repeatedly been designated as an American Heart Association Gold Plus stroke hospital, the highest stroke quality designation. This award recognizes hospitals that provide consistently excellent care following evidence based guidelines. The AHA has recognized the quality of stroke care provided at U-M Health since 2005.

Our systems are set up so the Stroke Team is notified the moment a patient arrives in the Emergency Department. Members of the Stroke Team are in-house 24/7 and promptly evaluate the situation and recommend appropriate treatment. For patients with the most severe strokes, our radiologists and neurosurgeons are available to perform interventions that may reduce the risk of disability.

Inpatient Stroke Care

Stroke patients are cared for in a dedicated Stroke Unit and Neurocritical Care Unit (NCCU). During the patient’s stay, vascular neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroscience nurses and a medical team all work together so patients can have optimal recovery. It has been shown that being treated on a dedicated stroke unit improves survival and functional outcome, as well as decreasing complications and length of hospital stays. The use of these specially-trained physicians and nurses has also been shown to significantly improve stroke patient outcome.

Patients begin working with occupational therapists and physical therapists as well as speech and language pathologists as soon as they are medically ready. If therapy is needed after discharge, we work with patients and their families to plan the best recovery strategies.

Preventive Stroke Care

As part of a comprehensive team, we are able to collaborate with cardiologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists and vascular surgeons for treatment plans that have a goal to prevent future strokes. Together we use the latest scientific information to put the best stroke prevention plan into action for each patient. This may range from lifestyle changes to the most sophisticated testing and treatment to decrease stroke risk.

If you think you or a loved one might be having a stroke, call 911. If you have had a stroke in the past or think you might be at risk for one call us at 1-888-287-1082 to make an appointment for a consultation.

• Stroke Patient Resources