Comprehensive Stroke Center-St. Marys Medical Center-West Palm Beach, FL

The Stroke Center at St. Mary’s supports the mission of the American Heart Association in “building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.” Following the standards set forth by the American Stroke Association, St. Mary’s Medical Center will strive to provide quality care in the management of stroke patients throughout the continuum of care along with patient and family education for management of secondary risk factors and stroke prevention.

The Stroke Team
Difference between Primary & Comprehensive Stroke Center
What is a Stroke
Symptoms of Stroke
Support Groups
Transfer Center

The Stroke Team - The multidisciplinary team at the Comprehensive Stroke Center at St. Mary's has received specialized training in acute and ongoing management of stroke patient and caregiver needs. The team is comprised of Ali Malek, MD, Interventional neurologist, Neurointerventional Program medical Director; Jeffrey Rubin, MD, neurologist, Stroke Program Medical Director; ER Physicians; ICU, Step Down Unit, Telemetry and Rehab, Nursing, Lab, Nutrition, Pharmacy, Physicial, Occupational and Speech Therapy, Quality; Radiology and Respiratory; and Special Procedures.

Difference between Primary and Comprehensive Stroke Center - Primary Stroke Centers are qualified to treat ischemic stroke patients in acute phases and evaluate if clot-busting drugs can be administered within the first three hours of symptom onset. Comprehensive Stroke Centers are equipped to meet the needs of hemorrhagic (bleed) or ischemic (clot) stroke patients and can also treat ischemic stroke within eight hours after symptom onset. Additionally, Comprehensive Stroke Centers are prepared to provide more aggressive stroke management. The Comprehensive Stroke Center also offers a full continuum of services to stroke patients, including acute rehabilitation.

What is a Stroke - A stroke, or “brain attack,” affects the arteries leading to and within the brain, disrupting blood flow. The stroke may be the result of a clot that develops in the brain (an ischemic stroke) or a weakened blood vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the brain (a hemorrhagic stroke). Every day, nearly 2,000 people in the U.S. suffer a stroke. It is the number three killer of Americans after heart disease and cancer. However, by learning the warning signs and seeking medical treatment immediately, you can greatly improve your chances of survival. Go to the American Stroke Association to find more available information at www.strokeassociation.org.

Symptoms of Stroke - Someone in the United States suffers a stroke every 45 seconds. Because minutes count when a stroke has occurred, quick recognition of the symptoms is critical. Call 911 to initiate treatment for the best chance of recovery from a stroke. Time to Act During a stroke, brain cells deprived of oxygen do not die immediately. However, the likelihood of a full recovery is greatly improved when treatment begins within three hours of the onset of symptoms. Call 911 if you or a loved one experiences the sudden onset of the following symptoms of stroke:

blurred vision, double vision or partial blindness in one or both eyes
difficulty speaking or understanding speech
difficulty walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
severe headache with no known cause
weakness or numbness in the arm, leg or face, especially on one side of the body

Stroke Support Groups Meetings - Sponsored by St. Mary's and Stroke of Hope. All meeting will take place in the Palm Room at St. Mary's Medical Center from 3:30 to 5:00pm. Their will be a half hour speaker and open session. Questions? Please call 561-882-6227

Transfer Center - Call our Transfer Center for all your patient transfer requests and inquiries. This will expedite all transfers in and out of St. Mary's Medical Center - (561) 840-6000

901 45TH ST, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33407 | 561-844-6300