Specialized Stroke Unit at Garnet Health Medical Center

Garnet Health Medical Center, formerly Orange Regional Medical Center, is pleased to announce it has enhanced its stroke program with the dedication of a specialized stroke unit.

“Enhancing our stroke program is an important step towards providing better stroke care to our patients,” said Kavneet Kaur, MD, MPH, Medical Director Neurology Services, Garnet Health Doctors; Medical Director Stroke Program, Garnet Health. “A dedicated specialized stroke unit has been shown to improve stroke patient outcomes because treatment is expedited faster by specially trained staff. All stroke patients in the unit are seen by neurologists, and patients are discharged sooner so they can get rehabilitation and strive for a better recovery.”

The stroke program at Garnet Health Medical Center has three major objectives: to minimize the amount of time in administering life-saving stroke treatment upon the patient’s arrival; to offer a dedicated specialized stroke unit which leads to faster and better patient outcomes; and to increase awareness of proper stroke treatment amongst the public and healthcare professionals.

Garnet Health Medical Center is one of only two designated stroke centers in Orange County by the New York State Department of Health. It is a recipient of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, and Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

Additionally, Garnet Health Medical Center received Healthgrades 2020 Stroke Care Excellence Award™, was named Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Treatment of Stroke in 2020 and is a Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Stroke for 2 Years in a Row (2019-2020).

Symptoms of stroke can include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs on one side of the body, as well as speech impairment, trouble with eye sight, loss of balance as well as severe headache. Our stroke care experts stress that B.E. F.A.S.T is an easy acronym to help remember the sudden signs of stroke, which reflects:

• Balance (loss of)
• Eyes (trouble seeing)
• Face Dropping
• Arm Weakness
• Speech Difficulty
• Time (Call 911 immediately)

Rapid diagnosis to determine the stroke and immediate medical treatment (in less than 60 minutes, known as the Golden Hour) will reduce chances of further complications. A dedicated stroke unit in hospitals, with committed physicians, specialized nurses, and ancillary personnel trained and experienced in stroke management can further reduce a patient’s home-to-treatment time and produce better outcomes.

Garnet Health Medical Center also offers a stroke support group that meets virtually on the 4^th Tuesday of every month. For more information, contact Stroke Program Coordinator, Suzanne Geraci, BSN, RN, at 333-1507.