Penn Highlands Healthcare is now the Gold Standard in Stroke Care

All of the hospitals in the Penn Highlands Healthcare system are prepared to treat strokes in a fast and medically-appropriate manner.

But sometimes, patients may also be stabilized at his or her local hospital and then transported to the Primary Stroke Center in DuBois.

Penn Highlands DuBois, an affiliate of Penn Highlands Healthcare, is a designated Primary Stroke Center for the region. It is recognized by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association as meeting The Joint Commission’s standards for Disease-Specific Care Primary Stroke Center Certification.

This certification recognizes hospitals that have state-of-the-art infrastructure, staff and training to receive and treat patients with the most complex strokes, according to the Joint Commission.

Upon arrival at PH DuBois, patients are evaluated by an Emergency Department doctor and a TeleStroke robot with quick access to the Cleveland Clinic. This telemedicine robot provides a direct connection to a stroke neurologist from the Cleveland Clinic who also reviews the test and exam results in real time along with the PH DuBois doctors. When providing stroke care, time is brain.

After initial treatment, care given at PH DuBois on the Third Floor which is the designated stroke unit. A multidisciplinary team works together to care for the patient, working toward minimizing their disability and getting them back home with their loved ones. They will be evaluated by Physical and Occupational therapies, Speech Therapy, a dietician and a social worker, and they will be provided stroke specific education to help prevent further complications and to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Recovery and intense inpatient therapy is available at The Rehabilitation Center at PH DuBois, and it can continue at home with any of the Penn Highlands Healthcare home health agencies and outpatient therapies. Getting care close to home is always a goal.