About the Stroke Network
What is the Baptist Health System Brain and Stroke Network?
The Brain and Stroke Network at Baptist Health System brings together all the necessary components to treat patients presenting with stroke - physicians from emergency medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, cardiology, vascular, and interventional radiology as well as nursing, rehabilitation and other support services.
The Network offers services at each of the five Baptist hospitals, with St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital designated as the primary location for neurosurgery needs. Additionally, the HealthLink Rehabilitation Centers provide convenient outpatient rehabilitation. Transport from rural areas is accomplished via San Antonio AirLIFE air medical transport, which is owned jointly by Baptist Health System and University Health System.
The Brain & Stroke Network goes beyond providing fast and expert stroke care in an emergency. The network also provides a robust rehabilitation program which consists of physical therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation nursing, nutrition counseling and psychological support. The team approach includes the patient and their family. Comprehensive stroke rehabilitation programs are located at St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital and at Baptist Medical Center, and give patients full access to specialists and services. Neuro-Developmental technique trained therapists and Certified Rehab Nurses are available to work with patients recovering from stroke. All private rooms, excellent discharge planning, and "Starting Now" Stroke Education Classes for patients and care-givers, are just a few of the services offered for patients recovering from stroke through the Brain and Stroke Network at Baptist Health System.
What Emergency Care is provided by the Baptist Health System Brain and Stroke Network?
Baptist Health System Brain and Stroke Network’s neurology, neurosurgery and neuroradiology staff provides primary diagnosis and treatment for stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), intracerebral hemorrhage, intracranial aneurysms, and arteriovenous malformations.
Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week our physicians, technicians, and nurses facilitate acute diagnosis and rehabilitation services with comprehensive facilities, as well as emergency transport via helicopter and ambulance from other stroke centers in the region.
What are Telehealth and Telestroke services?
Telehealth is a method of providing real-time healthcare from a distance, using telephones, videoconferencing, digital imaging and other technology. Telehealth enables clinicians to assess, diagnose, and treat patients in remote areas.
Telestroke is a category of telehealth that focuses on providing timely acute stroke care.
Specialist on Call is a company that BHS contracts to provide telehealth and telestroke services.
Inpatient
The Brain and Stroke Network at Baptist Health System is available to patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our team is ready to diagnose and treat the stroke rapidly, including administering “clot busters” - medications, primarily tPA, that dissolve the clots blocking brain arteries. Acute rehabilitation is an important part of recovery, and patients receive physical, occupational, and speech therapy as needed. Social service workers are available to assist with discharge plans after your hospital stay. Stroke prevention and treatment education is also provided to both patients and family members.
Outpatient
Among the outpatient services provided by the Baptist Health System Brain and Stroke Network are evaluation and management of patients who have had ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes or are having transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), as well as of patients who have carotid artery narrowing (carotid stenosis). Rehabilitation services, community stroke screenings and stroke education programs are also available.