Stroke Center

Horton Campus 60 Prospect Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940 845-343-2424 Directions

Arden Hill Campus 4 Harriman Drive, Goshen, NY 10924 845-294-5441 Directions

In recognition of its expertise in treating stroke patients, Orange Regional Medical Center's Horton and Arden Hill Campuses have been named designated stroke centers by the New York State Department of Health. A state protocol dictates emergency responders transport certain stroke patients to designated stroke centers even if other hospitals are closer.

As a designated Stroke Center, Orange Regional has an expert Stroke Team made up of highly trained physicians, nurses and technicians that can treat stroke patients quickly and effectively, using the latest medicines and techniques, to minimize brain damage. Having quick access to these types of services within the first three hours of showing symptoms of a stroke is essential to preventing long-term neurological damage.

A stroke, or brain attack, occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel or artery, or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When a brain attack occurs, it kills brain cells in the immediate area. Doctors call this area of dead cells an infarct. These cells usually die within minutes to a few hours after the stroke starts.

Every second counts - know the symptoms & signs of a stroke

Call 911 immediately if you experience sudden onset of the following:

• numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
• confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• trouble seeing in or of both eyes
• trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• severe headache (with no known cause)

Get With The Guidelines - Stroke

Orange Regional Medical Center has also been awarded for its participation in the American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines - Stroke initiative. The goal of the program is to improve the overall quality of care for stroke patients by improving acute stroke treatment and preventing future strokes and cardiovascular events.

Get With The Guidelines - Stroke was developed to help hospitals employ proven science-based treatment guidelines, including those developed by the American Stroke Association, American Heart Association and Brain Attack Coalition. These guidelines address acute stroke management, primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, secondary prevention of strokes and the establishment of primary stroke centers.

As a Get With The Guidelines - Stroke participating hospital, Orange Regional has been encouraged to develop a comprehensive system for providing rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke when patients are admitted to the emergency department. This includes being equipped 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide brain imaging scans, availability of neurologists to conduct patient evaluations and using clot-busting medications when appropriate.

Orange Regional is also increasing its efforts to prevent secondary strokes through the aggressive use of medications such as statins and anti-platelets as indicated in the secondary stroke prevention guidelines. Other methods include the treatment of atrial fibrillation and atherosclerosis and management of smoking cessation, weight, exercise, diabetes, and cholesterol.

Education and Support:

For information about our Stroke Education and Support Group or to schedule a stroke educator for a free group presentation for your organization, call the Orange Regional Health Connection at 1-888-321-ORMC (6762).

Links:

American Stroke Association: www.strokeassociation.org
American Heart Association: www.americanheart.org
Brain Attack Coalition: www.stroke-site.org