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Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Long Beach, CA

Permit No. 2041

1509 Wilson Terrace

Glendale, CA 91206

GLENDALE ADVENT IST MEDICAL CENTER’S COMMUNI TY CONNECT ION

W I N T E R 2 0 1 6

A N A W A R D - W I N N I N G P U B L I C A T I O N

H E A LT H L I N E

Q U A R T E R LY

T O F I N D A D O C T O R , C A L L

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sually, West Covina resident Peter Hsu would be

at home on a Sunday afternoon. But on Jan. 4, Peter

and his wife, Shirley, were visiting their daughter

and grandchildren who live 25 miles away in Glen-

dale, California. Ready to take his family to China-

town for dinner, Peter began to feel uncomfortable.

“We were ready to go and I couldn’t get up,” explains Peter, who

instantly knew he was having a stroke. “My mother had a stroke and I

was familiar with the signs and symptoms.”

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is suddenly disrupted.

This can happen when a blood clot or ruptured blood vessel prevents

oxygen and blood from reaching the brain. Brain cells quickly die when

they are starved of oxygen and nutrients.

Peter’s son-in-law, who had worked as a paramedic, confirmed that

Peter’s symptoms indicated a stroke. Jumping into action, Peter’s family

called 911. The paramedics rushed Peter to the nearest hospital, Glen-

dale Adventist Medical Center (GAMC), which was newly designated

as a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) and was an existing Advanced

Primary Stroke Center. When Peter reached the hospital, he was met

with a stroke care team prepared for his arrival.

GETTING RAPID TREATMENT

“Peter came to us in critical condition—

he was experiencing significant left side weakness and trouble with his

speech,” recalls Anthony Cardillo, MD, emergency department physi-

cian responding as part of the stroke alert emergency response team.

“It was important for us to treat Peter quickly, especially since we know

that for every minute you are having a stroke, about 2 million brain

cells are lost.”

GAMC has recently been certified as a CSC by DNVGL Healthcare USA,

Inc., making it the first hospital in the state of California to be awarded the

title. The hospital accreditation organization has some of the most rigorous

Your hospital is a

Comprehensive Stroke Center

Survival among stroke patients treated at Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs)

is generally higher compared with patients treated at non-stroke centers or primary

stroke centers. The CSC certification means that Glendale Adventist Medical Center is

capable of treating the most complex stroke cases. GAMC is also an Advanced Primary

Stroke Center. GAMC uses the latest imaging and endovascular technology, the most

up-to-date research guidelines and the skills and expertise of the entire stroke team to

ensure the best outcome for the most complex stroke cases. For more information on

our advanced stroke care, visit us at

AdventistHealth.org/Glendale/Neuro

.

Source: American Heart Association

Every week Peter heads to

the golf course to regain his

swing—a goal he had for him-

self after the stroke. Peter is

now back at work and hitting

120 yards. He hopes to make it

back to his pre-stroke distance

of 180 yards.

LIFESAVING STROKE CARE,

RIGHT ON TIME

—Continued on next page

Patient’s life saved by California’s first

DNV GL-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center