Health News For Champlain


Thursday, June 27, 2013
Pembroke Regional Hospital
Stroke Prevention Clinic Helps Renfrew County’s Stroke Patients Avoid Hospitalization And Stroke Recurrence



While she counts her blessings now, back in the spring of 2011, Beverley, a local resident wasn’t sure what to expect after learning that she had suffered a mild stroke. The only symptom she experienced was a noticeable drooping of the mouth. Thankfully, however, Beverley had no long term effects and no rehabilitation was required.

Because of her outcome and prognosis, she received a physician referral to the Stroke Prevention Clinic, operated by the Pembroke Regional Hospital through its District Stroke Centre where she underwent a thorough assessment and a risk factor evaluation, in addition to a couple of follow up visits at her request.

“I have nothing but good things to say about the Stroke Prevention Clinic. Physician lead Dr. Debbie Timpson was wonderful, the staff were friendly and outgoing and made me feel very comfortable, and I felt as if I had known them for my whole life,” she said.

Beverley said she was very thankful to have a service like this available in the region when she needed it and says she considers it to be a tremendous community asset.

Established in March, 2011, the Stroke Prevention Clinic operates five half days per week under the leadership of Dr. Timpson, the Pembroke Regional Hospital’s physiatrist who has a strong interest in stroke care.

Best suited for those who have suffered Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs), the Stroke Prevention Clinic offers referred patients rapid access to diagnostic imaging services, a health assessment, diagnosis and treatment.

Most patients are referred from an emergency department within the region or from a family physician’s office and, on average, are seen within three to seven days of the onset of their initial symptoms.

Designed to complement the work of the patients’ family physicians, a large component of the clinic involves patient and family education in terms of learning about stroke warning signs, identifying risk factors, and learning how best to make lifestyle modifications consistent with best practice recommendations for preventing stroke recurrence.

Typical TIA or stroke warning signs include (www.heartandstroke.com):

  • Weakness: sudden loss of strength or numbness in the face, arm or leg, even if temporary
  • Trouble speaking: sudden difficulty speaking or understanding, or sudden confusion even if temporary
  • Sudden trouble with vision, even if temporary
  • Sudden severe and unusual headache
  • Dizziness: sudden loss of balance, especially if accompanied by any of the above signs

Anyone with these signs or symptoms is encouraged to call 911.

Referrals to other services such as neurology, neurosurgery, the dietitian, the diabetes clinic, cardiovascular rehabilitation and smoking cessation, among others, may also be made if appropriate.

“The goal of out-patient management of TIA is rapid assessment and management in order to reduce the risk of a recurrent, possibly more serious event,” said Dr. Timpson, who notes that there is clear evidence that TIAs or minor strokes can be unstable conditions that warn of high future risk of stroke, other vascular events, or death.

“Rapid assessment with diagnostic imaging tests and a physical examination as well as obtaining medical history, followed by initiation of secondary prevention treatments can significantly reduce the risk of major stroke after an initial TIA,” Dr. Timpson said.

Typically, patients are seen for one comprehensive appointment, and follow up as required.

Since opening, registered nurse Lisa Keon said the clinic has seen 245 patients and completed 27 follow up appointments.

Pembroke’s Stroke Prevention Clinic is one of five operated within the Champlain Regional Stroke Network following best practice recommendations for stroke care and education. The other locations are Queensway-Carleton Hospital, Hawkesbury and District General Hospital, Cornwall Community Hospital and The Ottawa Hospital.

To contact the Stroke Prevention Clinic for more information, please call (613) 732-3675, extension 6640.



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