Specialized stroke centers provide better patient care

Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States.

Out of 5,000 acute care hospitals nationwide, nearly 700 are designated stroke centers. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that stroke centers provided better care for their patients. 

Paul Stacy is doing well now, but just two days ago his outlook was quite different.

"I was getting disillusioned, nothing was making sense and I was getting weak on the left side," he said.

"Those doctors, nurses and health providers, work together they provide an integrated and organized care to stroke patients," said Ying Xian, M.D., Ph.D. at Duke Clinical Research Institute.

"Patients who are treated at stroke centers (could have) at least 2.5 percent lower risk of death than other patients in non-certified hospitals," Xian said.

The study showed that patients treated at stroke centers have a better chance of receiving drug therapy to dissolve the clot and minimize damage to the brain.