BROOKINGS Brookings Health has committed to participation in “Mission: Lifeline Stroke,” a statewide initiative of the American Heart Association to strengthen the full spectrum of stroke care across South Dakota.
“Mission: Lifeline Stroke” focuses on connecting all components of acute stroke care into a smoothly integrated system that reinforces the use of evidence-based guidelines to timely and effectively treat stroke patients. It brings together hospitals, emergency medical services and first responders, rehabilitation facilities, communications and regulatory agencies, and state and local government to forge a proactive system of stroke care that saves and improves lives.
The “Mission: Lifeline Stroke” initiative will support both rural and urban hospitals to address gaps in consistent delivery of high-quality stroke care, ensuring all stroke patients in South Dakota have the best possible chance at survival and an independent quality of life.
This will be especially impactful in rural South Dakota. Stroke treatment is time-sensitive, so getting patients the proper treatment faster, is crucial, said Joani Guzman, program consultant for the “Mission: Lifeline Stroke” South Dakota initiative. So many South Dakotans live in rural areas where access to neurologists is limited to telemedicine. Every minute saved in stroke treatment can directly improve survival and recovery rates.
Cardiovascular disease, including heart and stroke conditions, is the leading cause of death in the United States. The acute nature of strokes is particularly deadly and requires time-sensitive treatment to save lives and reduce lasting disability. Stroke is a leading cause of death in South Dakota, accounting for 393 deaths in 2022. Many more South Dakotans are living with stroke-related disabilities.
When it comes to stroke, every second matters, stated Emergency Department Director Karen Weber. Our team outperforms both the state and national averages to get patients with stroke symptoms brain scan results within 45 minutes of arrival at the emergency department. Participating in this initiative will allow our team to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis that will further enhance our care and help individuals who experience stroke recover better.
For more information on the “Mission: Lifeline Stroke” project in South Dakota, go here.
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