A project aimed at improving stroke care in rural Wisconsin has received national attention. At its national conference, the American Heart Association recognized the Wisconsin Rural Hospital Stroke Improvement Project as a successful national model for improving stroke education and treatment in rural areas.

Ministry Health Care’s Good Samaritan Health Center in Merrill and Sacred Heart Hospital in Tomahawk and Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rhinelander, along with 17 other rural Wisconsin hospitals, participated in the Project that was supported by the Wisconsin Hospital Association and the American Stroke Association with funding from the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health.

The hospitals worked in teams to identify methods that could be used to build the infrastructure necessary to deliver excellent stroke care, develop protocols for treating stroke patients, and standardize stroke care-related processes.

“Anytime we can participate in a collaborative project to improve our system of care is a benefit to our patients, our staff and the communities we serve,” said Robyn Schertz, M.D., medical director of emergency services at Good Samaritan Health Center.

“This Project was successful in bringing rural hospitals together to improve the level of care they provide in their communities,” according to Dana Richardson, WHA vice president, quality initiatives. “However, the most important element in stroke care starts with a family member or co-worker recognizing the signs of stroke and seeking immediate medical care,” she added.

“We have established protocols based on national guidelines and standards of care to ensure that all patients receive optimal stroke care,” shared Teri Theiler, RN, BSN, CPHQ, quality improvement coordinator at Sacred Heart-Saint Mary’s Hospital. “It is important for not only our patients but also for the public to be aware our rural facilities provide excellent stroke care.”

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Wisconsin. In the hospital, the early recognition and application of appropriate medical care is critical to improving patient outcomes. For family members and care givers, it is important to identify the signs of a stroke and seek immediate medical attention.
The warning signs of a stroke are:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Good Samaritan President Michael Hammer and Sacred Heart-Saint Mary’s President Monica Hilt noted, “Projects like this are a fine example of our promise to keep patients first in everything we do as they allow us to learn from others and apply what they have learned in our own community to help people in Lincoln County and the Northwood’s live healthier lives.”

A member of Ministry Health Care, Good Samaritan Health Center is sponsored by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. It is a primary care hospital providing inpatient care and surgery, outpatient surgery, oncology services, spiritual services, extended care, a full range of therapy, radiology and laboratory services as well as dialysis, emergency and walk-in clinic services. The mission of the organization is to further the healing ministry of Jesus by continually improving the health and well-being of all people, especially the poor.

Members of the Ministry Health Care System, Sacred Heart Hospital in Tomahawk, Wisconsin and Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, were founded in 1893 by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. Sacred Heart’s Hospital staffs an 18-bed facility while Saint Mary’s Hospital staffs 73 beds. Together, they offer a wide range of services including 24-hour emergency care, surgery, radiology, cardiac/surgical/medical/special care units, radiation therapy, palliative care services, oncology services, rehabilitation, behavioral health, birthing center, and a variety of outpatient and community wellness programs.