Stroke Care
A stroke is a medical emergency. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die.
Geneva General Hospital is a Joint Commission accredited Primary Stroke Center, a New York State designated Stroke Center and received the Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award. These recognitions are based on the efforts of a multi-disciplinary team that developed systems and procedures to deliver the highest standard of care for stroke patients.
Our dedicated team strives to provide the best care and achieve the best outcomes for stroke patients.
Once a patient arrives to Geneva General Hospital, our specialized stroke team begins our stroke protocol and starts treatment. The team strives to provide care within or faster than time frame standards. Our team uses intravenous clot-busting procedures to rapidly restore blood flow to the brain when appropriate. This treatment has been proven to reduce the debilitating effects of a stroke. Care is coordinated with comprehensive stroke centers when intravascular intervention is needed.
Finger Lakes Health offers a wide variety of services for stroke patients, ranging from Intensive Care at Geneva General Hospital, inpatient services on 2 West, our stroke unit to a variety of outpatient rehabilitation therapies. In addition, we offer short-term rehabilitation in Geneva at Living Center South in our Transitional Care Program (TCP) and in Penn Yan in our Swing Bed program.
Life after a stroke can be difficult. Our stroke care team strives to provide high quality care from the time the patient enters the Emergency Department to the time they are in the after care programs.
Our stroke program also includes:
• A dedicated stroke team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• High quality computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and other medical testing.
• Care is individualized and specific to the patient’s needs.
• The stroke team provides community education, First responder training, and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) training events.
As part of our role with Geneva General Hospital being a Stroke Center, Finger Lakes Health focuses efforts on community education to help people become more aware of the risks and symptoms of stroke in an effort to ensure patients are identified and receive treatment within the critical window of opportunity. In addition, Finger Lakes Health has partnered with local Emergency Medical Services who are often the first responders providing initial evaluation and treatment and emergent transport for patients with signs and symptoms of stroke.
On going rehabilitation programs and services:
After a stroke occurs, our rehabilitation therapy at our Transitional Care Program, Swing Bed Program and outpatient care areas provide treatment that promotes functional independence and improved quality of life.
Additional Resources for patients, families, and community for after stroke care and prevention: