Aspirus | Aspire | Fall 2018

High-quality stroke care Aspirus Wausau Hospital now a primary stroke center Stroke victims now have an additional service available to them in the Wausau area. Aspirus Wausau Hospital (AWH) was recently designated a primary stroke center by The Joint Commission. This achievement means the services AWH provides have the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients. The certification is the best signal to the community that the high-quality care Aspirus provides is effectively managed tomeet the unique and specialized needs of stroke patients. Key requirements of a primary stroke center designation are: w w Acute stroke teamavailable 24/7. w w Neurologist accessible 24/7 in person or via telemedicine. w w Designated beds. w w Sufficient diagnostic services. w w Ability to provide IV thrombolytics. w w Tracking, monitoring and reporting of performance measures. The Joint Commission’s primary stroke center certification program is offered in collaboration with the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association. It is based on the Brain Attack Coalition’s recommendations for the establishment of primary stroke centers. attached to the operating room table. A CT scan is performed before surgeons use the BrainLab navigation system, and the detailed images help precisely guide the surgery. The surgical site is then closed once the surgeon compares the initial CT scan with one following the procedure and is satisfied with the result. This technology doesn’t apply only to spinal surgeries. Dr. Beaumont thinks Aspirus will be able to use the new BrainLab technology for many stages and phases of surgical procedures. “Going forward, we might be able to do this for other clinical work,” he said. “This technology can be implemented in cranial, orthopedic, trauma and many more procedures. The natural evolution is that this will expand to help provide even better patient care.” The new scanner will also save time. A traditional x-ray or MRI scan can take up to 30 minutes. The AIRO scanner can produce 3D 32-slice CT scans in just one to two minutes. Regaining independence Thanks to the high-tech care she received at Aspirus, Lehmkul’s pain wasn’t able to take away her passion and independence. She will soon be able to get back to her garden and playing with her grandchildren. “I have a lot of hope now for my future,” Lehmkul said. “I was losing independence. Now, I won’t have to depend on others as much. I’m very satisfied with my experience. I can now look forward to having more joy in my life.” Rhinelander resident Paula Lehmkul aspirus.org 7