BEST HOSPITALS
STROKE CENTER OF THE YEAR IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC
MOUNT ELIZABETH HOSPITAL
A stroke is a serious medical emergency . During a stroke , blood supply to certain parts of the brain is reduced or cut , causing brain cells to die within a matter of minutes . If the stroke episode is not attended to and treated quickly , it can lead to a spate of health complications , a lifetime of disability , or even death .
As Asia-Pacific ’ s Stroke Centre of the Year , Mount Elizabeth Hospital ( MEH ) has both the facilities and a collaborative team of medical doctors and nursing professionals to ensure stroke patients receive the best possible care .
MEH has an extensive clinical history in treating strokes , supported by a team of over 20 neurologists and neurosurgeons experienced in modern medical and surgical techniques . These specialists are capable of managing any type of acute stroke , and perform a wide range of emergency procedures including endovascular clipping , embolisation , and stereotactic radiosurgery .
Technological innovation complements surgical expertise in guiding the treatment of stroke patients at MEH . According to Dr Noel Yeo , Chief Operating Officer of IHH Healthcare Singapore : “ Our neurosurgeons are among the pioneers to be trained in the Asia-Pacific using the BrainPath integrated surgical approach .”
MEH neurosurgeons are well-versed in minimally invasive surgery performed with the BrainPath technology , which accesses the patient ’ s brain with a small tube and navigates through it with a computerised system . This allows for safe evacuation of deep intracerebral haemorrhages , the deadliest form of stroke .
The hospital also houses the only Gamma Knife Centre in Singapore , where Gamma Knife radiosurgery is used to treat arteriovenous malformations ( AVMs ), an abnormal collection of blood vessels that can cause haemorrhagic strokes . An alternative to chemotherapy or surgery , Gamma Knife radiosurgery works by destroying AVMs using powerful and accurate radiation beams .
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia and lasts no more than one hour , which translates to lower risk of infection and bleeding , shorter hospital stays , and faster recovery for stroke patients .
To facilitate continual care of patients , MEH also provides rehabilitation services , as stroke patients often experience complications such as paralysis or loss of control in certain muscles , difficulty talking or swallowing , memory loss and thinking difficulties . A multidisciplinary approach is taken to help these patients regain lost functions and get back on their feet . This includes exercises to improve muscle strength and coordination , mobility and gait training using assistive aids such as walkers and treadmills , as well as functional electrical stimulation ( FES ) to stimulate weakened or partially paralysed muscles and facilitate muscle contraction and reeducation . Caregiver training will also be provided to ensure a smooth and safe transition when patients move back home from the hospital .
While a stroke may have debilitating and potentially devasting effects , it ’ s possible to recover and return to a good quality of life . That ’ s why the MEH team remains committed to treating and caring for stroke patients , just as they have been doing for the past four decades .
GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com NOVEMBER 2021
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