Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Winston-Salem, NC- Forsyth Medical Center (FMC) has opened the Stroke Bridge Clinic, a practice specializing in helping stroke patients transition from hospital care to living at home. The clinic was established at the request of primary care physicians who identified the need for care and support of stroke patients showing signs of neurological issues that were impeding a return to normal activities following hospital discharge.
Many times someone recovering from a stroke will continue to have memory or other cognitive issues that interfere with recovery and require more specialized attention than can be provided by a primary care physician. The specialized care provided by the clinic will also help reduce the need for patients to seek follow-up care at emergency rooms or urgent care centers by identifying potential issues in advance of needing emergency care.
"In these cases, stroke victims often seek follow-up care at emergency rooms where the cost of providing care is most expensive," says Chere Chase, MD, medical director of neurosciences at FMC. "The goal of the clinic is to provide patients with access to specialized stroke recovery services in a practice setting delivered by staff who are familiar with that patient's medical history."
Care at The Stroke Bridge Clinic is supervised by a specially trained nurse practitioner who helps patients continue their recovery at home by reviewing treatment plans, checking medications and , when necessary, scheduling follow-up care with a doctor or neurologist.
Case workers at the clinic help patients remember medical appointments, assist with transportation and connect them with stroke support services in the community. The Clinic also provides education to patients and families during the time period following discharge when they are much more likely to understand and remember the information.
The Stroke Bridge Clinic is located in the Whitaker Rehabilitation Center at FMC.
