Stroke

Primary Stroke Center in Dublin, Georgia

We want patients in Dublin-Laurens County, Georgia, to know that when it comes to strokes, immediate care is essential. If signs of stroke arise, you can find the high-quality care you need close to home at Fairview Park Hospital.

Our highly trained emergency room (ER) specialists and neurologists are dedicated to providing quick and effective emergency stroke treatments. We offer a compassionate, fast response using the latest stroke treatment techniques and technologies.

If someone you know is experiencing stroke symptoms, call 911.

Facts about stroke

Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or reduced, causing brain cells to die due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients. Strokes affect around 795,000 Americans each year, killing two times more women annually than breast cancer.

Unfortunately, most Americans cannot identify common stroke warning signs or risk factors. Because a stroke is a medical emergency, knowing the warning signs and seeking treatment immediately is essential.

Signs of stroke

Every second counts when it comes to effective stroke care. That's why it's critical to recognize symptoms and get to the hospital fast. If you suspect a stroke is occurring, remember to act F.A.S.T.:

• F(ace)—Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face feel numb?
• A(rms)—Ask the person to raise both arms over their head. Does one arm drift downward?
• S(peech)—Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
• T(ime)—If you identify one or more of these signs, call 911 immediately.

Stroke risk factors

Studies indicate that up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented through risk factor management. By managing the following risk factors, you can reduce your risk of stroke:

• Alcohol consumption
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Weight

You can learn more about stroke risk management by visiting the American Stroke Association's website or by discussing your risk of stroke with your primary physician.

Stroke treatments

As a Primary Stroke Center certified by the Joint Commission, we provide a consistent approach to stroke care in a timely manner. Our stroke specialists are skilled neurologists who use computed tomography (CT) imaging to rapidly diagnose and treat acute ischemic strokes with expert teleconsultation. When patients come to us experiencing signs of stroke, we assess them and administer tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) quickly. t-PA is a clot-busting drug commonly used to treat strokes.

Our stroke team works together to ensure individualized care to meet the needs of each stroke patient. As many as two million brain cells are lost every minute that the brain is deprived of blood flow. That's why, for patients in rural communities, quick access to quality care improves outcomes and decreases the risk of disability. When strokes are caught and treated quickly, stroke after-effects can be diminished or reversed completely.

Stroke rehab

Our physical therapy and rehabilitation (rehab) program offers a specialized stroke rehab program to help patients who have experienced stroke regain mobility and strength and recover fully from their condition.

Stroke prevention

In addition to being certified by The Joint Commission, Fairview Park Hospital has been named a Paul Coverdell Award Winner for our strides in stroke awareness and prevention.

There is no doubt that more education about stroke is needed. Fairview Park has taken the lead from the National Stroke Association and strives to offer stroke education to our patients, Laurens County and our surrounding communities. We offer knowledge about risk factor management and how to quickly recognize and respond to the warning signs of a stroke.