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Welcome to the Comprehensive Stroke Center at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
When “time is brain,” trust MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, Baltimore’s newest Comprehensive Stroke Center. We have the technology, bedside manner, and expert physicians that you need when it’s too important to go anywhere else.
At MedStar Franklin Square, we can treat and provide excellent quality of care to the most complex stroke patients around the clock. We have dedicated, specially-trained clinicians available at any time of day or night. Having their expertise readily available ensures our patients are receiving the care they need which provides better long-term outcomes for stroke survivors.
The effects of stroke can be devastating. Life-long disability or death, however, is no longer a given due to new procedures and treatments. At MedStar Franklin Square, experts work together to ensure patients receive the care they need, whether it’s urgent care, brain surgery, the latest technologies for diagnostics and treatment, cutting-edge clinical trials or rehabilitation.
Why choose us?
Being named a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission and the Maryland Institute of EMS Systems (MIEMSS) is the highest level of designation that can be achieved.
In addition, the American Heart Association has recognized the strength of our stroke program for more than a decade, presenting us with Get with the Guidelines stroke awards dating back to 2010.
Our integrated, in-house emergency stroke team is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by stroke neurologists, neuro-interventional radiologists, cerebrovascular neurosurgeons, and other specialists as needed.
Because time is of the essence in treating stroke, our emergency department teams are trained to provide rapid, excellent care by making stroke a priority. In addition, we have a rapid response team that evaluates patients and sets in motion specific procedures to diagnose the cause of the stroke.
MedStar Franklin Square has one of the fastest door-to-needle times in the entire state of Maryland, with outcomes that exceed national standards. We treat more than 2,000 stroke patients each year.
The stroke team provides care utilizing cutting-edge technologies (such as brain perfusion imaging) and treatments (such as endovascular thrombectomy - or clot removal). The MedSTAR Transport system—ready to retrieve a patient within a 250-mile radius by air or ambulance—assures wide and rapid access to this level of emergency care.
BE FAST
Every minute the brain is deprived of blood flow, more brain cells die. The earlier the blood flow is restored, the less likely a stroke patient will have permanent damage.
It’s important that you know how to BE FAST and call 911 if you show any of these signs.
Are you at risk of stroke?
Did you know that up to 80% of strokes may be prevented? Find out if you are at risk having a stroke by taking the quiz below.
Then sign up to receive a FREE stroke prevention kit that is customized to your specific needs.
BEFAST: Knowing the Signs of Stroke
Our patients’ stories, in their own words
Our care team
Comprehensive Stroke Center designation requires a commitment from all levels of the organization, along with creation of a skilled and experienced team of clinical providers who understand and apply proven best practices. Our core life-saving stroke team includes:
- Paul Singh, MD, MPH, FAHA, Director, Comprehensive Stroke Center and Neuroendovascular Surgery
- Elliot T. Dawson, MD, Chair, Department of Neurology
- Scott DeBoer, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Neurocritical Care Medicine
- Samir Sur, MD, Director, Cerebrovascular and Skull Base Surgery
- J. Summer Morea, FNP-BC, ANVP-BC, ASC-BC, Stroke Advanced Practice Provider, Stroke Clinic Provider
- Ariel Woodward, BSN, RN, Stroke Program Coordinator
- Nicole DeRita, MSN, RN, Stroke Nurse Navigator
Treatment options
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Stroke treatment and care
After a physician diagnoses a stroke, they must also determine the type of stroke treatment. Options vary, based on whether the stroke is hemorrhagic or ischemic, as well as on the stroke’s severity.
Neurocritical care is essential to control intracranial pressure as well as blood pressure, breathing, and heart function.
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Immediate stroke treatment
Physicians will order a variety of diagnostic tests to determine the location and extent of brain injury, as well as evaluate the condition of the arteries in your neck and brain that supply blood to your brain.
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Ischemic stroke: The most effective medicine for the treatment of ischemic stroke is a thrombolytic “clot-buster,” such as tenectplase (TNK). Administered intravenously, it works with your body's enzymes to dissolve blood clots. This highly-effective stroke treatment must be given within 4.5 hours of your first stroke symptom (“last-known well”), so it is imperative to seek medical care immediately. Call 911. For certain ischemic strokes where medication cannot be administered or is ineffective, endovascular clot removal may be an option. Learn more about ischemic stroke.
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Hemorrhagic stroke:The best and safest way to remove blood from the brain after a hemorrhage and minimize damage to the brain may include minimally invasive surgical removal of the clot (through small catheters or tubes) or medication. For hemorrhages caused by aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), a skilled neuro-interventionalist or neurosurgeon can repair or block the vessels to prevent further bleeding. Many of these procedures can be performed through a minimally invasive technique. Learn more about hemorrhagic stroke.
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Advanced endovascular and surgical treatment
Beyond providing the highest level of emergency stroke intervention, our experts are helping to shape new standards of patient care through endovascular approaches and surgical interventions. These consist of minimally invasive and microsurgical treatments for cerebrovascular disease include:
- Acute stroke thrombectomy: technology that allows removal of clots in the brain through small catheters, or tubes.
- Brain aneurysm (ruptured and unruptured) treatment: using coils, stents, flow-diverters, or surgical clipping
- Brain arteriovenous malformation/fistula (AVM/F) treatment: using liquid embolic agents (such as Onyx or n-BCA) or surgical resection
- Tumor embolization: using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles
- Carotid (or intra-cranial) stenosis treatment: using micro-balloons, stents (ISCH), or plaque-removing surgery
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Neurocritical care
At MedStar Franklin Square, we have a 15-bed unit dedicated specifically to neurocritical care, staffed 24/7. Learn more about neurocritical care by watching this video.
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Neurorehabilitation
Our multidisciplinary group of experienced physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and neurorehabilitation physicians provide comprehensive patient-centered rehabilitation therapies designed to maximize stroke recovery. Learn more about the resources available to you at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.
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Stroke clinic
The Post-Stroke Follow-Up Clinic at MedStar Franklin Square is a one-stop shop for our stroke patients can meet their needs for a healthy life moving forward. Featuring the only stroke-specific patient care clinic in the Baltimore area, our comprehensive treatment approach improves our patients’ recovery and outcomes. The clinic addresses risk factors, medication compliance, individualized education, and lifestyle modifications. In addition, referrals and physician follow-up are provided as needed. Patients do not need to have received emergent stroke treatment at a MedStar Health hospital in order to participate. To schedule an appointment, please call 443-777-7320.
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Stroke Club support group
The Stroke Club is a support group for individuals who have had a stroke and their significant others. Members gather for educational programs and social activities. Meetings include informative sessions on stroke-related topics, such as nutrition and stress management. Topics change with each meeting, and membership is free.
Virtual meetings are held the first Thursday of each month from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., using Microsoft Teams. Register in advance to receive the meeting link. To register, call 443-777-7900 or send us an email.
Visiting us
Insurance
MedStar Health participates with most major health insurance plans. Please contact your insurance company to make sure your plan is covered.