more advanced, complicated work with
him as part of our team,” she says. “Dr.
Benardete has added a lot of knowledge
to our team.” The center plans to
recruit two more vascular neurologists
as well.
Later this year, a new endovascular
neurosurgery suite will be completed,
equipped with the latest technology
for minimally invasive surgery that
will allow for more precise, faster
procedures. “This will give us new
capabilities to provide the endovascular
piece of stroke treatment quicker,”
Dr. Benardete says.
Stroke care throughout
Central Texas
Dr. Rasmussen believes Temple is the
ideal location for a Comprehensive
Stroke Center. “Central Texas is unique,
because we have a large population
living in rural areas without the medical
care nearby to treat stroke. Temple is
a location where we can reach a lot of
these people.”
For patients who cannot make it to
Temple, Dr. Rasmussen hopes to reach
them with technology. A telemedicine
program will begin in the next year
that will place robots in the emergency
rooms of other Baylor Scott & White
hospitals in the region (See issue 24
of The Catalyst to learn more). When
a patient goes to the emergency room
with acute stroke symptoms, a stroke
specialist in Temple will evaluate the
patient via the robot. A camera on
the robot will allow the doctor to
see the patient, while a video screen
on the robot will show the doctor’s
Baylor Scott & White
Stroke Centers
At the first symptoms of a stroke, it is
critical for a patient to get to a stroke care
center within three to four and a-half hours.
The sooner the better, says Dr. Rasmussen. “With a stroke, we
know that for every 15 minute delay in treatment, you lose 1.9
million neurons,” she says. Neurons convey important signals
in the central nervous system for optimal functioning.
To provide timely treatment for stroke patients, three Baylor
Scott & White centers in Central Texas are designated as
Primary Stroke Centers:
• Scott & White Memorial Hospital – Temple
• Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock
• Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hillcrest
As certified by the American Heart Association/American Stroke
Association in partnership with The Joint Commission, a Primary
Stroke Center provides a team that is available 24 hours a day,
seven days a week to offer immediate and comprehensive
evaluation of acute stroke patients.
In addition, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Brenham has
been designated a Stroke Ready Center under guidelines set by
the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, which means it is
prepared to meet the initial needs of a stroke patient. This includes
dispensing the clot-busting medication so crucial in the early
treatment of ischemic stroke. “It’s important to get treatment as
soon as possible,” Dr. Rasmussen says. The patient can then seek
more comprehensive care at a Primary Stroke Center. One of Dr.
Rasmussen’s goals is to have more regional Baylor Scott & White
facilities become Primary Stroke Centers.
sw.org | Fall 16 THE CATALYST
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