Notes
Note to Family and Friends
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McAlester Regional Health Center is commitment to excellence is to assist you and your family
with an understanding of the care and treatment provided during your hospital and/or
rehabilitative stay. The Stroke Discharge Handbook will guide you and your family through
your stay in the acute and/or recovery process. McAlester Regional will provide a
comprehensive, interdisciplinary inpatient and outpatient program to assist you. Your stay
will include a variety of treatments, procedures, and therapies. Your healthcare team will
answer any questions you have. After special tests are done, and the cause is known,
specialists are called. Treatment will begin right away. The patient may be too ill to know
what’s going on. You may need to decide on his or her treatment. Choose a few family
members to talk to the health care team. These family members can share what they learn
with others. This will make it simpler to keep everyone informed.
Your Healthcare Team
The members of your healthcare team guide you through your treatment, support you, and
answer your questions. Your team may include the following specialists:
• A neurosurgeon is a doctor who performs the procedure needed to correct your
problem.
• A neurologist is a doctor who specializes evaluating and treating a variety of brain and
nervous system diseases.
• A radiologist is a doctor who specializes in the use of radiation in the diagnosis and
treatment of disease.
• A Hospitalist or Intensivist is a doctor who specializes in managing care for hospitalized
and/or critically-ill patients.
• Nurses provide patient care and may also teach family and friends to assist with your
recovery.
• Physical and occupational therapists help with walking, dressing, and other life skills.
• Speech therapists focus on speech and swallowing problems.
• A case manager or social worker helps guide you through the healthcare system.
What you can expect on the stroke care units
Emergency Department
You will be quickly evaluated by trained physicians
and nurses. You will need diagnostic tests such as labs
and x-rays to help evaluate your medical emergency.
The emergency department will start an intravenous
line and other treatments to manage your condition.
The emergency department physician communicates
directly with the stroke specialist to determine the
initial plan of care.
Critical Care Unit/Neurological Intensive Care Unit
The physicians and nurses in the critical care areas will provide frequent monitoring of your
vital signs and your neurological status. You will be on a continuous cardiac monitor. Your
treatments may include intravenous medications to manage blood pressure. Advanced
2