A stroke can happen suddenly. Your body weakens on one side, you have trouble walking or your vision changes. Developing these and other symptoms of possible stroke can be frightening -- and getting advanced, prompt care is essential.

Award-Winning Care
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (LWRMC) is a primary stroke center, designated by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Recently, the American Stroke Association presented the hospital with its Silver Performance Achievement Award for its Get With the Guidelines-Stroke Program. LWRMC is one of only 17 hospitals statewide and 128 hospitals nationally to earn this distinguished service award.

"People don't have to waste precious time traveling to a hospital in another area," says Susan Domagala, RN, MSN, Director of Critical Care Services at LWRMC. "When patients seek care right away and meet certain clinical criteria, often we can administer clot-busting medications that can halt and sometimes even reverse strokes."

Susan Domagala, RN Director of Critical Care Services at LWRMC 941-782-2200

Many Program Features
LWRMC's comprehensive stroke program has many features to streamline care for stroke patients. For example:

• A neurologist who specializes in strokes is on call to evaluate and treat stroke patients.
• The hospital has a dedicated stroke team that prepares for stroke patients before they arrive at the hospital in order to provide treatment and services quickly and efficiently. There's also a team for patients who suffer strokes while they're hospitalized.
• Patients who have strokes can stay in the intensive care unit where our specially trained staff monitors their recovery.

Don't Become a Stroke Statistic
Time is of the essence when it comes to getting treatment for a stroke. If you experience the following symptoms, call 911:

• Sudden confusion or trouble talking
• Numbness or weakness in your face, arms or legs
• Abrupt vision problems
• Severe, unexplained headache
• Sudden dizziness, trouble walking or loss of balance

Strike Back Against Stroke
To find a physician, please call Direct Doctors^SM Plus at 1-800-454-8215 or visit www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com and click on Find a Doctor.

8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202