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Neurology

Stroke Care

For people living along the upper Gulf Coast, the most comprehensive and advanced stroke care happens at USA Health University Hospital in Mobile, Alabama.

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USA Health Offers the Most Complete Stroke Care in the Region

When a stroke occurs in the brain, minutes matter. That’s why it’s important for a patient to quickly receive stroke care at a hospital that provides every possible option for stroke treatment.

At University Hospital, patients receive advanced care from our stroke team that includes emergency department staff, intensive care staff, neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists and lab technicians. For care afterward, they may work with physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, dietitians, and social workers. We participate in clinical trials to evaluate new treatment options. In fact, one of our specialists was the first physician in Alabama to repair a nonruptured brain aneurysm using the PulseRider® stent. We also work closely with the local EMS service to ensure that strokes are promptly identified so that the appropriate treatment can begin as soon as possible.

USA Health was the first hospital in Alabama to receive the highest quality measures recognized by the American Heart Association: The Gold Plus Target Stroke Elite Plus award. In fact, we’re the only hospital to receive this award three consecutive years.

Types of Strokes We Treat

There are several types of stroke, but all happen in the brain. Here are the conditions that we routinely treat at University Hospital:

  • Ischemic stroke–As the most common type, an ischemic stroke happens when an artery to your brain becomes narrowed or blocked.
  • Hemorrhagic stroke-This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures on the brain.
  • Transient ischemic attack (TIA)–Sometimes called a mini-stroke, a TIA involves a brief blockage in a brain artery that leaves little to no damage but should be treated seriously. TIAs can often led to more serious strokes.

USA Health Has Been Recognized for:

2023 American Heart Association Gold Plus Stroke 850DNV Certified Stroke Center 2023The Joint Commission National Quality Approval2017 Accc Innovator Award

Treatment Options

USA Health offers the expertise and technology to treat various types of strokes and other neurological conditions.

Interventional Radiology

Our physicians can perform a thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure to remove a blood clot from the brain.

Neurosurgery

In cases where an initial CT scan reveals that hemorrhaging is present, a USA Health neurosurgeon can operate to remove any clot that is blocking flow of blood to the brain.

Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA)

When a brain scan reveals that the stroke involves no bleeding, we administer tPA to dissolve the clot so that blood flow returns to normal in the brain.

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Patient Story: Cam Marston sings praises of University Hospital's Comprehensive Stroke Center

“People keep telling me that it is a miracle I had a stroke and have no long-term effects from it, but the miracle is truly in Dr. Nisar’s capabilities and the team at University Hospital.”

Read Full Story

When Someone Receives Stroke Care at USA Health

Due to innovations being pioneered and practiced at USA Health, including clinical trials involving new medications, the window to receive treatment for a stroke continues to grow wider in order to prevent or reverse damage to the patient. New guidelines show that the "golden window" when doctors can minimize or prevent permanent damage has expanded from six to 24 hours.

When a patient arrives presenting the signs of a stroke, our team typically performs a CT (computed tomography) scan to look for signs of hemorrhaging. If a hemorrhage is indicated, we administer medication to control the bleed. Further diagnostic tests help determine if the ruptured vessel needs surgery to repair or should be left to heal on its own.

If the initial CT scan shows no signs of a hemorrhage, the patient receives a clot-busting medication intravenously. A CT angiogram is then performed to determine the location and size of the clot. The patient could be a candidate for a thrombectomy, a noninvasive procedure to retrieve the clot. A CT perfusion scan can help doctors determine any damage caused to brain tissue surrounding the clot.

After the Stroke

Depending on damage that may have occurred, stroke patients may need physical, occupational or speech therapy rehabilitation afterwards. If rehab is needed, our case workers ensure that patients receive therapy on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Then, at 30 days and 90 days post-stroke, our neurologists and neurosurgeons see patients for follow-up care at the Strada Patient Care Center or Canton Road clinic locations.

Rehabilitation Clinic

Strokes can sometimes cause lasting effects for a patient. That’s why it’s important to be involved in aftercare through our therapy services. Our Rehabilitation Clinic at the Strada Patient Care Center provides rehabilitation care after a person has experienced a stroke.

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Education and Research

At USA Health, we continue to improve procedures for treating strokes and to train our physicians and nurses in those ground-breaking advances. Find out about all of our stroke education and research efforts.

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Clinical Trials

How effective is a particular stroke medication protocol? That's just one of the areas that we study in clinical trials. Learn more about how we’re transforming medicine.

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Recent News

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Upcoming Events

Mar212024

Join us Thursday, March 21, at the Soul Kitchen in downtown Mobile for the third annual Doc Rock, a “battle of the bands” event that supports research and critical clinical needs at USA Health.

Mar262024

An educational program for oncology patients, caregivers, and the community. Meetings are located at the Strada Patient Care Center first-floor conference center.

Apr232024

An educational program for oncology patients, caregivers, and the community. Meetings are located at the Strada Patient Care Center first-floor conference center.

May22024

The MCI Par 3 Golf Tournament hosted by Lexus of Mobile will benefit the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. Join us Thursday, May 2, at Magnolia Grove. Tee-off is at 1 p.m. All tournament players are invited to attend the post-tournament awards presentations and reception. Prizes will be awarded at every hole!

Sep122024

Providence Foundation’s annual Charity Golf Classic takes place in September at Lakewood Golf Club.

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