DOHA: Hamad General Hospital (HGH) played a key role in improvements in stroke care last year, according a senior official.
It has seen a reduction in the average length of stay for stroke patients, an increase in the rate of thrombolysis treatment (a clot-busting medication) and a drop in the rate of complications for stroke patients, Professor Ashfaq Shuaib, Director, Neurosciences Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) told World Stroke Day Symposium.
Over 350 delegates from HMC attended the symposium, organised by the stroke services team, to mark World Stroke Day 2015 on October 29 and celebrate HMC progress in caring for stroke patients.
Prof Shuaib said, “I’m proud of efforts of everyone involved in the delivery of care to stroke patients at HMC for their contribution to improving patient outcomes. Effective care for patients requires service areas across multiple facilities to work in unison.”
He stressed the need to continue providing the highest standards of care: “Every day, we see four or five new stroke cases at HGH and the average age of patients is far younger than you would see in Europe or America. It is essential that we constantly look to push the boundaries in our delivery of stroke care at HMC and maintain our commitment to educate the public about it.”
A video shown at the event featured experiences of three patients who had been treated at HMC. They described how they suffered stroke and how the care they received contributed to recovery. The video is available to view on HMC’s YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_35_QPj628.
Delegates also heard about HMC’s stroke awareness campaign which uses the internationally established F.A.S.T. message to highlight major signs of stroke and reinforces the need to act quickly.
F - Face drooping: Has your face suddenly drooped on one side or do you have difficulty smiling?
A - Arm weakness: Are you unable to raise both arms?
S - Speech problems: Do you have difficulty speaking or being understood by other people?
T - Time is ticking: Call 999 immediately
The Peninsula
