G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center
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Time is Brain
Live Healthy!
Nerve cells begin dying after 7 minutes of blood flow interruption. This makes quick identification of acute stroke patients critical for the best outcome. After several hours of stroke symptoms the risk of thrombolytic therapy greatly increases. As of June 1, this facility has implemented a Code Gray Team, a multidisciplinary group of clinical staff who evaluates and initiates treatment for acute stroke. The goal is to administer tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA), a clot buster drug, within 60 minutes of identifying an acute stroke patient. The Veteran or patient is then transferred to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) Comprehensive Stroke Center for post stroke monitoring. Stroke symptoms can vary depending on the brain area involved, but here are some warning signs: facial weakness (one side of the face is drooping), weakness or numbness on one side of the body (dragging a leg or can’t raise an arm), or speech or language changes (can’t understand or speak funny). Don’t wait. If the person is an inpatient call the Rapid Response Team or page 73, 7000 with your location to initiate a Code Gray. If the person is an outpatient, immediately take them to the Emergency Department. Remember: Time is Brain! |
