Wheeling Hospital’s clinical partnership with WVU Medicine has enhanced multiple services provided to area residents, among them the treatment of acute stroke.
Wheeling Hospital-based neurologists are available 24/7 for consultation and provide direct evaluation and treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) along with subsequent inpatient work-up. Intravenous thrombolysis is utilized for AIS for patients meeting specific criteria set forth by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA). Meanwhile, Wheeling Hospital’s stroke team works collaboratively with WVU Neurology in providing telestroke evaluations and for patients requiring transfer for a higher level of care, such as mechanical thrombectomy. The telestroke partnership with WVU Medicine, which has been active since 2019, provides access to face-to-face neurological consultations 24 hours a day throughout both the Emergency Department (ED) and inpatient units. Also of note, Wheeling Hospital has 24/7 neurosurgery coverage that is utilized as indicated for hemorrhagic stroke and related diagnoses.
A fully functional Stroke Team is available 24/7 for treatment of stroke, both in acute and inpatient care. All members of the team have been trained in protocol/processes and proper assessment/treatment of acute stroke. In addition, a Stroke Page Activation System is in place for both the ED and inpatient units.
Full inpatient stroke work-up capabilities are available within Wheeling Hospital. This includes MRI and MRA capabilities, CT Angiogram, carotid imaging, transthoracic/transesophageal echocardiogram and EEG. Meanwhile, WVU Heart and Vascular Institute at Wheeling Hospital can perform stroke-related procedures such as Watchman Device implantation and PFO Closures. Vascular surgery is available in-house for carotid endarterectomy and carotid stenting procedures. Fully functional rehabilitation department provides evaluation and treatment services while Social Services and Care Management teams aid in patient transition.
Multiple performance improvement initiatives are enacted each year with a focus on continued enhancement of stroke care. Performance improvement initiatives are tracked and evaluated for success.
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Stroke Achievement Award
Wheeling Hospital has earned the AHA/ASA’s Get With The Guidelines® (GWTG)-Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement and the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll awards. The awards recognize 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.
The hospital earned the Stroke Silver Plus award by achieving compliance with all GWTG® -Stroke Achievement and Quality Measures criteria for one calendar year to improve quality of patient care and outcomes. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of optimizing recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients receive thorough education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.