Stroke Treatment and Recovery
Ischemic Stroke Treatment
In the five-county region, nearly 600 stroke patients were treated last year by UM Shore Regional Health emergency teams at UM Shore Medical Centers at Chestertown, Dorchester and Easton, and the UM Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown.
Patients suspected of having an ischemic stroke may be eligible for two time sensitive treatments:
Clot-Busting Medication
Patients may receive a thrombolytic or clot-busting medication that is used to dissolve a blood clot in an artery.
Mechanical Thrombectomy
Patients identified as having a certain type of stroke may be transferred immediately to a hospital capable of performing mechanical thrombectomy. This procedure uses a small wire to remove a blood clot from the brain.
Stroke Recovery
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and swallowing therapy will all begin in the hospital.
The goal of treatment after a stroke is to help you recover as much function as possible and prevent future strokes.
Recovery from your stroke will begin while you are still in the hospital or at a rehabilitation center. It will continue when you go home from the hospital or center
Stroke Support Group
The staff also provides guidance and support to the Virtual Stroke Support Group, which meets the first Thursday of each month from 12-1:00 pm, virtually.
For more information or to receive log-in credentials for the Virtual Stroke Support Group, call Nicole Leonard, RN, BSN, Neuroscience Specialist and Stroke Coordinator, at 410-822-1000, ext. 5068 or email nleonard@umm.edu.