If a stroke is suspected, time is of the essence. It is now established that patients who suffer acute strokes can benefit from thrombolytic therapy if the medication is administered within 3 hours of the stroke. Together with area ambulance services and the emergency, radiology, and neurology department have organized a rapid response 24 hour brain attack team to evaluate and treat acute stroke patients who are brought to the hospital's Emergency Department. Emergency intervention for heart attacks is coordinated with cardiologists, radiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons. Our physicians are known for their success in treating individuals experiencing a heart attack and has been reported to have one of the country's lowest mortality rates for heart attacks.
Time is critical for anyone experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack.
Waiting too long before going to the emergency department may increase the amount of heart damage. Seeking immediate treatment can make a big difference in the quality of life after recovery. Depending on the type and severity of the heart attack, the cardiac team takes patients from the emergency department directly to a catheterization lab to administer treatments to clear blocked arteries and restore blood and oxygen flow to damaged heart tissue. At The George Washington University Hospital, a cardiac team and fully equipped cardiac catheterization suite is available 24 hours a day. Patients are rapidly evaluated and a course of treatment is begun.