Emergency Care for Strokes
Emergency Stroke Care
Signs of a stroke tend to come on suddenly and in no particular order. The easiest way to check for stroke is to remember FAST, which stands for face droopiness, arm weakness, and speech difficulty. If those symptoms are present, you should call 9-1-1 immediately.
What are the Signs of a Stroke?
Chances are you won’t be able to recognize the signs of a stroke in yourself. It’s usually someone else who notices. Or you identify the signs in your loved one. It’s important for all members of your household to be familiar with the signs of a stroke, which include:
- Face droopiness
- Arm weakness
- Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion or inability to understand speech
- Sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
- Sudden dizziness and loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - DuBois
Emergency Department- Tyrone
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - DuBois
Emergency Department - Elk
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - Clearfield
Emergency Department - DuBois
Emergency Department - Huntingdon
Emergency Department- Tyrone
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - DuBois
Emergency Department - Huntingdon
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - Clearfield
Emergency Department - Elk
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - Brookville
Emergency Department - Clearfield
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - DuBois
Emergency Department - Elk
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - Brookville
Emergency Department - DuBois
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - DuBois
Emergency Department - Huntingdon
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - Huntingdon
Emergency Department- Tyrone
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - Brookville
Emergency Department - DuBois
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - DuBois
Emergency Department - Elk
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - Clearfield
Emergency Department - DuBois
Emergency Department - Elk
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department - Brookville
Emergency Department - Clearfield
Emergency Department - DuBois
Emergency Department - Elk
Know the signs of a stroke, save a life, download our pocketguide signs of a stroke now and keep it with you.
What’s the Difference between an Ischemic Stroke and Hemorrhagic Stroke?
A stroke is a condition that cuts off blood flow and oxygen to the brain. When this happens, brain cells begin to die and brain damage can occur that causes disabilities and even death.
Most strokes occur when a blood vessel becomes blocked. This is called an ischemic stroke. Eighty-seven percent of strokes are ischemic strokes, according to the American Stroke Association.
Stroke also can be caused by a blood vessel that becomes weak and breaks, causing bleeding in the brain. These strokes are called hemorrhagic strokes.
What will Happen in the ER if I Come in with Signs of a Stroke?
Upon arrival at a Penn Highlands emergency room, you’ll be evaluated by one of our experienced ER doctors who will look for signs of a stroke. You’ll then have lab tests to check your blood sugar levels, check for infection, and determine if any of your blood chemicals are out of balance. You’ll then go for an imaging test to determine whether you are having an ischemic stroke or a hemorrhagic stroke. This is typically done using a CT scan or an MRI.
If you’re having an ischemic stroke and you’re within the three-hour window, you’ll likely be treated with a clot-busting drug. If your stroke is hemorrhagic, you’ll be taken to surgery to repair the torn blood vessel.
All of these steps will happen very quickly, typically within an hour of arriving at the emergency room. Time is critical in stroke care. Time is brain.
What does “Time Is Brain” Mean?
When a stroke occurs, time means everything. Approximately 2 million brain cells die every minute during a stroke. That’s why getting immediate care is crucial. When treatment is administered in the first three hours after signs of a stroke appear, it greatly reduces or even reverses the effects.
All Penn Highlands Healthcare emergency rooms are prepared to identify and treat strokes as quickly as possible. Sometimes, patients may be stabilized at a local hospital and then transported to the Primary Stroke Center at Penn Highlands DuBois or Penn Highlands Mon Valley.
Penn Highlands DuBois and Penn Highlands Mon Valley, are designated Primary Stroke Centers. This Joint Commission certification recognizes hospitals that have the infrastructure, staff and training to identify and treat patients with the most complex strokes.
The Primary Stroke Center at Penn Highlands DuBois is:
- 2022 Get with the Guidelines®-Stroke GOLD PLUS
The Primary Stroke Center at Penn Highlands Mon Valley is:
- 2022-2023 The Joint Commission Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification
- 2021 One of America’s Best Hospitals Stroke Center – Women’s Choice Award
- 2021 Get With the Guidelines Stroke Quality Achievement Award – American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
- 2020 Get With the Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award With Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite – American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
Where can I Find an Emergency Clinic Near Me?
If you think your condition requires immediate emergency care, call 911 or get to the nearest Penn Highlands emergency room. The Penn Highlands hospitals across Pennsylvania provide top-quality emergency care. Our highly trained emergency physicians, providers, nurses, and staff provide 24-hour urgent care for all medical emergencies, 365 days a year. We treat people of all ages—adults and children—regardless of ability to pay.
Located on the second floor of Penn Highlands Brookville, the Emergency Department offers 24-hour emergency care to patients suffering from serious illnesses or injuries.
Located on the first floor of Penn Highlands Clearfield, the Emergency Department offers 24-hour emergency care to patients suffering from serious illnesses or injuries.
Located on the first floor of Penn Highlands Connellsville, the Emergency Department offers 24-hour emergency care to patients suffering from serious illnesses or injuries.
Located on the first floor of Penn Highlands DuBois, the Emergency Department offers 24-hour emergency care to patients suffering from serious illnesses or injuries.
Located on the first floor of Penn Highlands Elk, the Emergency Department offers 24-hour emergency care to patients suffering from serious illnesses or injuries.
Located on the first floor of Penn Highlands Mon Vally, the Emergency Department offers 24-hour emergency care to patients suffering from serious illnesses or injuries.
Located on the first floor of Penn Highlands Tyrone, the Emergency Department offers 24-hour emergency care to patients suffering from serious illnesses or injuries.
