NeuroX in the news!

For providing outstanding patient care within the community, Northeastern Health System (NHS) was recently awarded the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines Stroke - Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award at the International Stroke Conference.

​

This prestigious award, which represents the highest level of recognition, is based on consistent quality measure compliance, performance improvement, and excellent patient outcomes. It acknowledges the hospital's dedication to ensuring that stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment.

​

"Achieving stroke certification is a rigorous process," said Jim Berry, NHS CEO. "Jennifer Russell, along with the hospital staff and leadership, have dedicated immense effort into enhancing and measuring stroke care starting from the Emergency Department and continuing throughout the patients' recovery. Tahlequah is a safer community because of their efforts. This award is a testament to their hard work."

​

Since 2020, NHS has partnered with NeuroX to provide neurology services. NeuroX, launched by American Telephysicians, offers direct-to-patient services and specialty care support through online consultations with neurologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists using its telemedicine EMR platform, SmartClinix. The clinic specializes in diseases such as epilepsy, migraine, autism, and dementia.

​

"Stroke Certification through DNV Healthcare allows us to establish a consistent approach to care standards, reducing variation and minimizing the risk of error," said Jennifer Russell, RN, NHS senior director of critical care and stroke services. "We are demonstrating a higher standard of clinical services to our community, enhancing their confidence in the quality of care we provide."

​

NHS treats patients from entering the emergency department, throughout their inpatient stay, and during follow-up appointments at the on-site NeuroX clinic.

​

Russell, with nearly 15 years of experience in stroke patient care, noted that the stroke team, including bedside staff, hospitalists, ancillary staff, NeuroX, and stroke coordinators, meets achievement measures through an extensive review of order sets, policies, procedures, and patient records.

​

According to the CDC, more than 795,000 people suffer strokes annually in the United States, with approximately 87% being ischemic strokes caused by interrupted or reduced blood supply to the brain.

 

Strokes can occur at any age. In Oklahoma, data shows that 62.2% of patients will have a stroke. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, sickle cell disease, tobacco use, poor diet, physical inactivity, and high salt intake.

​

Recognizing stroke symptoms is crucial. The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association use the B.E.F.A.S.T. acronym: Balance (sudden loss of balance or dizziness), Eyes (vision loss or sudden changes), Face (uneven smile or severe headache), Arm (weakness or numbness), Speech (slurred speech or confusion), and Time (call 911 immediately).