The ChristianaCare Union Hospital Primary Stroke Program brings specialists from many disciplines together into a comprehensive stroke treatment and recovery team, including:
- Neurology: Using the latest national health standards in stroke care, our neurologists will identify the cause of your condition and make recommendations on medications and treatments for your care. Specialized stroke neurologists, working with your primary care physician, provide continuing care after you leave the hospital to prevent another stroke.
- Nursing: Your nurse will coordinate with your doctor and stroke team to manage your medical care. Your nurse will help you to manage pain, and also teach you and your family about stroke and how to take your medications safely.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapists will help you to regain strength and balance, and learn how to safely get in and out of bed, stand, walk and climb stairs. If needed, you will learn to use a wheelchair, walker, cane or other device to help you move about safely.
- Occupational therapy: Occupational therapists will help you to regain your ability to eat, groom, bathe, dress and carry out the other activities of daily living. Your therapist will also help you to determine what equipment or changes you may need at home after discharge.
- Speech-language pathology: Your speech therapist will focus on your ability to speak clearly, put thoughts into words, understand what others say to you, think and memorize. If you have trouble chewing or swallowing, or if you choke or cough while swallowing, your therapist will help you to improve your swallowing skills and determine any diet changes you may need.
- Nutritionist: Your nutritionist can make recommendations about a healthy diet designed to improve stroke risk factors, reduce your risk of a second stroke, and benefit your overall health.
- Social work: Social workers can link you with community and government programs to help you and your family deal with problems that often accompany an illness or injury. They will meet with you and with your stroke team to discuss and arrange services or equipment you might need after discharge, and they can help with service referrals, counseling, financial assistance, support groups and transportation.
- Case management: Your case manager is a specially trained nurse who will coordinate your care and provide you with education, support, referral sources and insurance information.
- Rehabilitation liaison: A rehabilitation liaison or physiatrist may provide acute rehabilitation services and evaluate whether acute rehabilitation in the hospital may be necessary after discharge. Rehabilitation goals may include increasing productive activity, reducing dependence and relieving the anxiety that hospitalization can cause.