Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States – after heart disease and cancer – and the leading cause of disability. But thousands of people could reduce their chances of having a stroke by becoming aware of their risk factors, learning to recognize warning signs and modifying their habits for healthier lives.
The Parkview Stanley Wissman Stroke Center, located at Parkview Hospital, is committed to defeating stroke through top-quality stroke care and rehabilitation, as well as public education. Recognized as the region’s first certified primary stroke center in 2005, and re-certified by The Joint Commission* in 2007, the center excels in stroke treatment and prevention by combining:
- Outstanding medical expertise
- Interdisciplinary teamwork
- Patient- and family-focused care
- World-class technology
- Participation in national stroke research
- Community health education
*Joint Commission certification is granted based on recommendations for stroke care from the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association.
Making the grade for excellent care
HealthGrades, the national healthcare quality assessment organization, has recognized the Parkview Stanley Wissman Stroke Center for achievement in care. The center was:
- Ranked in the Top 5% in the nation for treatment of stroke in 2009
- Five-Star Rated for stroke treatment, five consecutive years (2005 – 2009)
- Recipient of HealthGrades Stroke Care Excellence Award™ for 2009
- Rated Best in the Fort Wayne area for stroke treatment,
2008 – 2009
In addition, the center received the Silver Award from the American Heart Association’s Get With The GuidelinesSM program for greater than 85 percent compliance with seven Core Measures related to quality of stroke intervention, care and treatment.
The center is named for the late Stanley Wissman, MD, a widely respected Fort Wayne neurologist who championed the idea that stroke patients should not have to suffer the deteriorative effects of stroke.
Under the leadership of Medical Director Fen-Lei Chang, MD, PhD, the center continues to build on Dr. Wissman’s ideas by combining state-of-the-art imaging, a dedicated Neuroscience ICU, and the expertise provided by the Fort Wayne Neurological Center to bring the highest-quality lifesaving treatments to patients.
At the stroke center
Patients at the Parkview Stanley Wissman Stroke Center receive care from a stroke team representing many Parkview Hospital departments and health fields. These medical professionals include:
- Neurologist
- Primary care physician
- Physicians specializing in neurosurgery, cardiology, neuroradiology, psychology and other related fields
- Registered nurses/licensed vocational nurses
- Critical care nurses specifically trained in neurology and stroke
- Laboratory and radiology technicians
- Pharmacists
- Medical social workers
- Chaplains
- Certified rehabilitation registered nurses
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech pathologists
- Certified recreational therapists
- Case management team
- Support groups