Stroke Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital
The Sibley Stroke Program is a center of excellence in stroke care. It brings together physicians and health care providers from multiple specialties to provide comprehensive evaluation and management of stroke patients. We aim to provide outstanding care to all patients with acute stroke. This includes diagnosis with the newest modalities: treatment with standard therapies such as tPA as well as innovative therapies; and state of the art hospital-based and post discharge care by nurses, therapists and physicians experienced in stroke.
Learn about Stroke with Jason Freeman, M.D.
Learn more about Stroke with Jenni Knittig, R.N.
Sibley Memorial Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center
The Joint Commission, in conjunction with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, has recognized Sibley Memorial Hospital with Advanced Certification as a Primary Stroke Center. This Primary Stroke Center certification and recertification means that the program has been evaluated by an independent organization and has been found to meet critical elements of performance needed to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients. Recertification is undertaken annually. This certification signifies our dedication to fostering better outcomes for patients.
Sibley underwent a rigorous on-site review in October 2014. A Joint Commission expert reviewed Sibley’s compliance with the requirements for The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification program as well as primary stroke center requirements, such as collecting Joint Commission core measure data and using it for performance improvement activities.
Developed in collaboration with the American Stroke Association and launched in 2003, The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification program is based on the Brain Attack Coalition’s Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers. Certification is available only to stroke programs in Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals.
Our Approach to Stroke Care
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Within minutes of a patient arriving at Sibley with stroke symptoms, the Stroke Response Team is activated to ensure rapid assessment and treatment. The first step in treatment is to diagnose the cause of the stroke. A CT scan or MRI is performed look at the brain in order to determine if the stroke is a result of bleeding (known as a hemorrhagic stroke) or of blockage due to a blood clot (known as a ischemic stroke).
In the event of a major stroke, Sibley has the technology and trained staff needed to provide the best emergency treatment. Our stroke center also may administer tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a protein that breaks down blood clots within a patient’s body; when injected, tPA can help dissolve the blockage causing stroke symptoms.
Utilizing the expertise of our stroke response professionals and the emergency department team, Sibley offers patients suffering from strokes the best possible start to their recovery.
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When a patient is admitted to our dedicated inpatient Stroke Unit or ICU, all the services they need are available in one location, delivered by an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals who are specifically trained and certified to assess and treat stroke patients. A neurologist is available 24/7 to provide immediate treatment. Our nurses undergo in-depth training and continuing education to ensure they provide the very best care to patients recovering from stroke; intensive rehabilitation begins right away.
At Sibley, we utilize a multidisciplinary team approach to provide the best care possible to each and every patient. The stroke team includes the following:
- Emergency Department Physicians
- Stroke Neurologists
- Intensivists
- Cardiologists
- Medical Hospitalists
- Stroke Team Coordinators
- Physical Therapists
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Case Coordinators
- Dieticians
- Pharmacists
- Registered Nurses
- Patient Care Technicians
With the patient’s and family members’ involvement, our team develops a customized treatment plan that takes into account the patient’s overall condition, special needs, personal goals and specific challenges. Physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists work with the patient as soon as possible to help him or her regain strength and coordination. Patients are taught techniques and tools to make everyday activities simpler and safer as recovery continues at home.
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A quarter of strokes in the U.S. are recurrent, according to The National Stroke Association. Accordingly, the stroke staff at Sibley educates patients and family members on methods to prevent future strokes and promote wellness. The treatment team emphasizes the importance of healthy living and stroke risk factor reduction, emphasizing the importance of a healthy diet and exercise. A pharmacist is available to discuss medications and the importance of taking them as prescribed. The case coordinator helps patients and their families prepare to return home, arranges for outpatient therapy and services and when necessary facilitates the transfer of the patient to an inpatient rehabilitation facility.
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If you or someone you care for has had a stroke, join us via Zoom to learn and share experiences. On the first Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m., our virtual meetings provide social support, relevant guest speakers and discussion. Connecting with other survivors and caregivers to share experiences, information and advice can be incredibly beneficial. For more information, please contact Amy Chew, community resource assistance, Stroke Team, at [email protected].
When: The first Wednesday of the month from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: ZOOM: jhjhm.zoom.us/my/sibleystrokesupportgroupThe Stroke Support Group meets virtually on the first Wednesday of each month. View the Community Event Calendar for information on upcoming sessions.
Bundled Payment for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced)
As of October 1, 2018, Sibley Memorial Hospital is participating in a Medicare initiative called the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) Model focusing on inpatient and post-discharge care for stroke patients. As a participant, Sibley Memorial Hospital will work with Medicare to improve care for patients.
The BPCI Advanced Model is an innovative Medicare initiative that encourages doctors, hospitals and other health care providers to work more closely together so patients get better care during and following certain hospital stays. In this initiative, doctors and hospitals may work closely with certain health care providers and suppliers that help patients recover after discharge from the hospital, including skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and long term care hospitals. By working together, the health care providers are trying to more efficiently provide well-managed, high-quality, patient-centered care for stroke patients.
Philanthropy In Action
The Advanced Stroke Life Support training of nine RNs was funded by the Sibley Foundation. An anonymous donor gave $1 million to fund the Stroke Program.
Donations have made it possible to provide services and support the highest quality of care.
Patient Resources
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American Stroke Association
The American Heart Association created the Dallas-based American Stroke Association as a division in 1998.
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231
Phone: 888-478-7653
www.stroke.orgA toll-free referral and information line, free stroke materials, daily living tips, referrals to stroke support groups, a national stroke support group registry, and the Stroke Connection Magazine. The Stroke Family, “Warmline,” also offers many educational support services for stroke survivors, caregivers, family members, and health care professionals.
The American Heart Association provides information on cholesterol reduction, lifestyle changes, managing stress, medicine management, physical activity, recipe modification, quitting smoking, and weight loss.
Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Stroke Statistics and Maps
Up-to-date facts, statistics, maps, and other information related to stroke in these reports and resources.
View from Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Atlas of Stroke Mortality
The Atlas of Stroke Mortality: Racial, Ethnic, and Geographic Disparities in the United States is the third in a series of CDC atlases related to cardiovascular disease, which have been published through a collaboration between CDC, West Virginia University, and the University of South Florida. In this section, you can view national and state maps that show local disparities in stroke death rates for the five largest racial and ethnic groups in the United States.
The Brain Attack Coalition
Coalition provides guidelines, pathways, orders, and links for developing and implementing systems to enable the rapid diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke: stroke scales, information for the public, links to educational materials.
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Public Health Service – Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.
Governmental publications are available on many stroke-related topics.
Public Health Service – National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
This institute receives funding from the National Institutes of Health and provides clinical information packets on stroke.
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
www.ninds.nih.gov -
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
This center is an automated line that provides listings of physiatrists in local areas.
1 IBM Plaza
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-464-9700
www.aapmr.orgAmerican Occupational Therapy Association
This association helps people locate occupational therapists in their local area.
4720 Montgomery Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-652-2682
www.aota.orgAmerican Physical Therapy Association
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 800-999-2782 or 703-684-2782
www.apta.orgAmerican Speech-Language-Hearing Association
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
800-638-8255 or 301-498-2071This organization can provide a list of speech therapists in your state.
National Aphasia Association
29 John Street, Suite 1103
New York, NY 10038
800-922-4622This organization provides information and support services for people living with aphasia.
National Association of Social Workers
750 1st Street, NE, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20002
800-638-8799 or 202-408-8600This national association provides a list of local social workers.
National Easter Seal Society
230 West Monroe Street, Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60606
800-221-6827This organization helps people with disabilities achieve independence by locating funding sources to assist with medical and assistive equipment and medical bills (on occasion).
National Rehabilitation Information Center
4200 Forbes Blvd., Suite 202
Lanham, MD 20706
800-346-2742This toll-free number provides information on types of rehabilitation, adaptive devices, and other aids for recovery.
Vocational Services for the Disabled
800-222-JOBS
A New York-based service that refers consumers to local state offices providing vocational and educational services for people with disabilities.
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Eldercare Locator
927 15th Street, NW 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
800-677-1116A nationwide database that gives caregivers access to local area resources that provide care to older people.
Family Caregiver Alliance
690 Market, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-434-3388This organization provides caregiver support and educational opportunities through research, advocacy, legal consultation, and training workshops.
Flying Wheels Travel
143 West Bridge Street
P.O. Box 382
Owatonna, MN 55060
507-451-1685This for-profit travel agency provides worldwide travel assistance for the disabled for leisure and vacation purposes only.
National Council on Aging
409 Third Street, SW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20024
800-375-1014This organization provides lists of community resources that help improve the quality of life for older people.
Caregiver Action Network
10400 Connecticut Ave., Suite 500
Kensington, MD 20895
800-396-3650AARP
AARP provides information on aging and senior citizens. It also has literature for a variety of health and benefit questions important to seniors.
601 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20049
Phone: 800-424-2277 -
American Association of Suicidology
4201 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 408
Washington, DC 20008
202-237-2280This association provides information on suicide and a referral to the nearest suicide crisis center in your area.
American Psychiatric Association
1400 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-682-6000This organization provides information on choosing a psychiatrist, as well as research on emotional illness.
National Foundation for Depressive Illness
P.O. Box 2257
New York, NY 10116
800-239-1265This foundation provides information and referrals to the public about depressive illnesses.
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Medicare Hotline
800-MEDICARE
800-638-6833
www.medicare.govCall this toll-free number for information about Medicare and financial assistance for people age 65 and over. They can also help find medical specialists in local areas.
National Insurance Consumer Helpline
110 William Street
New York, NY 10038
800-942-4242This toll-free number gives assistance with questions about health and life insurance, as well as information about individual health insurance companies.
Social Security
800-772-1213
www.ssa.govA national, toll-free number that provides assistance with Social Security benefit questions and makes referrals to local Social Security offices.
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ADA Helpline – Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
P.O. Box 12549
Cincinnati, OH 45212-0549
800-669-4000This commission has a toll-free number for information about discrimination against people with disabilities for the workforce.
Higher Education and Training for People With Handicaps
800-544-3284
This number is an automated information line that provides information on post-secondary education for the disabled.
IBM’s National Support Center for People With Disabilities
800-426-4832
This clearinghouse helps health care leaders, agency directors, policy makers, employers, educators, public officials, and individuals learn how computers can enhance the quality of life in the school, home, and workplace for people with disabilities.
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Center for Parent Information and Resources
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013This agency is an information, resource, and policy center focusing on adolescents with chronic illnesses and disabilities, and the issues surrounding their transition to adult life.