Hospital Secures Primary Plus Designation for Thrombectomy
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (May 10, 2023) — After a rigorous review of services MidHudson Regional Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, is now certified in thrombectomy, an advanced and potentially lifesaving procedure used in emergent stroke care
Blockages of large arteries in the brain cause devastating strokes, and thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure performed by endovascular neurosurgeons to remove blockages and restore blood flow before permanent damage is done.
Time is critical in stroke care where mere minutes can be the difference between a patient’s full recovery, a lifetime of disability, or worse. With MidHudson Regional Hospital becoming fully certified in thrombectomy, community members living near MidHudson Regional Hospital now have a local option for efficient and effective stroke care, with the ability to leverage the Comprehensive Stroke Center specialists at WMCHealth’s Westchester Medical Center.
The stroke care resources at MidHudson Regional Hospital also include telemedicine services that rapidly connect vascular neurologists at Westchester Medical Center to MidHudson Regional Hospital to provide consultative services 24 hours a day, seven days a week*.
In cases where a stroke victim requires more advanced care, physicians at MidHudson Regional Hospital can – once the patient is stabilized – transfer stroke patients seamlessly to Westchester Medical Center.Westchester Medical Center has the Hudson Valley’s only certified Comprehensive Stroke Center and where a dedicated neuroscience intensive care unit and advanced stroke care technologies are available.
WMCHealth’s Comprehensive Approach to Stroke Care
Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States with one stroke happening every 40 seconds. Quality stroke service is an important component of a community’s healthcare offerings and through investments in the latest and most advanced stroke care technologies as well as the recruitment of notable neuroscience specialists, the WMCHealth Network has positioned itself as a leading provider of stroke prevention information, diagnosis and treatment.
“The certification of thrombectomy services at MidHudson Regional Hospital serves as both a strong validation of our quality, plus it means residents of the Mid-Hudson region will have access to the immediate care they need close to home – potentially providing a greater chance for recovery and reduced risk for serious disability,” said Ji Chong, MD, Director of Stroke for WMCHealth’s MidHudson Regional Hospital and Westchester Medical Center.
Continued Investment in Providing Advanced Services to the Region
MidHudson Regional Hospital’s new stroke care capabilities come at a time when WMCHealth continues to make significant enhancements to its health care infrastructure and services.
WMCHealth recently completed construction of a new, pediatrics inpatient “neighborhood” at MidHudson Regional Hospital as well as a reimagined HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston with 79,000 square feet of new care space.WMCHealth also announced plans for a multimillion enhancement of MidHudson Regional Hospital’s inpatient mental health unit, in partnership with Dutchess County.
*24/7 stroke care consultative services are also available via telemedicine to physicians at WMCHealth’s HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston.