Welcome to the Regional Stroke Centre
London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) University Hospital (UH) is home to the Southwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Centre. The centre is one of 41 hospitals in Ontario that has a designated stroke unit. It is also one of 11 across Ontario that provides increased access to stroke care and services. The goal of the centre is to reduce stroke prevalence, morbidity and mortality.
The centre serves approximately 1.8 million people across Southwestern Ontario and admits over 800 stroke patients every year. It offers two potentially lifesaving interventions: Thrombolytic medication Tenecteplase (TNK) and endovascular thrombectomy.
The centre is comprised of two units: the five-bed Hyperacute Stroke Unit and the 26-bed Acute Stroke Unit. Within these units, patients receive care from a wide range of health care professionals including physicians, nurses, support workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, dietitians, social workers, pharmacists and care navigators.
The Secondary Stroke Prevention Clinic (SSPC) is also located within the Regional Stroke Centre. This clinic, often referred to as the “Urgent TIA Clinic”, provides outpatient services to people experiencing a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke. It offers timely access to diagnostic testing/imaging and assessment by a health professional specialized in stroke care.
How We’re Doing
The Regional Stroke Centre takes pride in the services and care we provide. To increase transparency and provide an opportunity for growth and innovation, it is important that our performance is shared with patients, families and the community.
Stroke Care at University Hospital 2021/2022
It takes 42 minutes from arrival at the Emergency Department to receive clot dissolving medication.
Stroke is a medical emergency:
- 83% of patients arrived at the emergency department by ambulance.
- 61% of patients arrive with in 3.5 hours of symptom onset.
Stroke unite care improves outcomes:
- 808 patients were admitted with stroke to LHSC University Hospital's Stroke Centre.
Time is brain:
- 19% of patient received medication to dissolve clots causing the stroke.
- 82% of patients had a successful procedure to remove the clot.
Stroke journey continues after discharge:
- 98% of stroke and transient ischemic attach (TIA) patients discharged from the Emergency Department were referred to the secondary stroke prevention clinic.
