Network: February/March 2009
In November 2008, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and Sentara Leigh Hospital successfully earned Primary Stroke Center re-certifications with notable survey results from The Joint Commission, highlighting the exceptional patient care provided by the Sentara team of physicians and clinicians. And, in the summer 2008, Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital was also re-certified as a Primary Stroke Center.
Sentara now offers three Primary Stroke Centers in Hampton Roads. They are the only primary stroke centers in the region and among just 14 primary stroke centers in Virginia.
I commend the staff and physicians whose dedication to stroke patient care resulted in these distinctions.
These efforts are just one example of the cohesive network of care that the Sentara Neuroscience Program provides for patients. Patients like Pat Jackson and Ed Forrest, who you’ll read about in this issue of Network, both received life-saving treatment by Sentara neurosurgeons and neurologists. Read their stories and learn how Sentara is striving to improve health every day.
Board Certified, Fellowship-Trained Physicians
Our program is led by board certified, fellowship-trained sub-specialist physicians who are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their field. Sentara neurologists and neurosurgeons are dedicated to improving treatment options and quality clinical outcomes for patients in Greater Hampton Roads and northeastern North Carolina and are committed to aiding patients throughout Virginia.
Virginia Department of Health Stroke Systems Task Force
We are proud of the many physicians who serve on the statewide Stroke Systems Task Force. Sentara Chief of Neurology Richard Zweifler, MD, along with Bruce Lo, MD, emergency physician at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, and John Agola, MD, neuroradiologist at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, are all a part of this task force implemented by the Virginia Department of Health to develop a statewide “prehospital and interhospital Stroke Triage Plan.”
Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification
Under the establishment of the statewide plan and guidelines, health systems can be designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, which brings in greater involvement in education and research, improved protocols and pathways that lead to a reduction in patients’ average length of stay.
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital plans to seek Comprehensive Stroke Center certification once the guidelines for application are established and available for The Joint Commission designation.
Technological Advancements like 3T MRI
Sentara offers a hospital-based 3T MRI at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital campus and another one will be coming soon to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. This equipment has the ability to provide extremely high quality images in the area of neurological imaging, neurosurgery planning, musculoskeletal and body imaging.
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures like CyberKnife
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| Cyberknife |
In addition, Sentara is committed to the development and implementation of minimally invasive surgical procedures such as CyberKnife. Introduced to patients in January 2009 at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, CyberKnife is an extraordinarily sophisticated, non-invasive method for treating tumors of the head, neck and body with targeted radiation.
Please join me in congratulating the Sentara Neuroscience Program physicians and staff, who are clearly dedicated to improving treatment options and quality clinical outcomes for our patients.
― Dave Bernd
For additional stroke resources, please visit:
-- American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association
-- National Stroke Association