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Comprehensive Stroke Center in Lancaster, CA

Treating 700+ Stroke Patients Every Year

Patients suffering from stroke require a quick response and accurate diagnosis in the critical short window that follows the attack. This approach is vital to reducing a patient’s risk of long-term disability and death. Antelope Valley Medical Center’s stroke response team has a proven track record for demonstrating extraordinary efficiency and expertise in stroke care. The hospital treats more than 700 cases of stroke every year and is the only facility in the region to offer advanced stroke treatment and procedures to treat the most severe types of stroke.

Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification

Antelope Valley Medical Center has achieved the Gold Seal of Approval for its Advanced Stroke Program accredited from The Joint Commission and the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency. This designation signifies that AVMC has the equipment, infrastructure, staff, and training programs needed to provide care based on the most current research and standards to foster better outcomes for patients with stroke. As a Primary Stroke Center, AVMC is committed to providing timely care to quickly treat acute stroke victims.

To learn more about additional designations awarded to AVMC's Stroke Program, please visit our Awards page.

Thrombectomy Capable Center

Antelope Valley Medical Center received certification from DNV as a Primary Plus Stroke Center, affirming the hospital’s readiness to handle a full spectrum of stroke care – diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education. DNV is the first accreditation body to issue a Stroke Plus Certification, making Antelope Valley Medical Center a Thrombectomy Capable Center.

As a Thrombectomy Capable Center, AVMC performs Mechanical Thrombectomy (clot retrieval), which is a procedure for patients experiencing an ischemic stroke caused by a blockage in a large vessel in the brain. A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel along with a device to physically remove the blockage from the blocked vessel in the brain. Patients are only eligible up to the first 24-hours after their stroke began. This procedure is performed by an interventional neurologist and AVMC is currently the only hospital in the region with the capability to perform this procedure.

The DNV Primary Plus Stroke Center Certification is based on standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association.

Stroke Care at Antelope Valley Medical Center

Providing exceptional care to stroke patients takes the dedication and collaboration of multiple people and departments within a hospital. Stroke care at AVMC begins before a patient even arrives at the door and continues after discharge.

Before hospital arrival, the Emergency Medical Services is in contact with the Emergency Department and communicates important information about patients with signs of a stroke. This allows members of the stroke treatment team to be ready to respond when the patient arrives.

Patients with signs of stroke are quickly assessed, and brain scans are performed to confirm the diagnosis of stroke and determine which treatments the patient is eligible for.

Common stroke treatments and procedures include:

  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA): A medication given for patients with an ischemic stroke that can break down the blockage in the brain. This medication can only be given within the first 4.5 hours of a stroke occurring.
  • Mechanical Thrombectomy (clot retrieval): A procedure for patients with an ischemic stroke caused by a blockage in a large vessel in the brain. A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel along with a device to physically remove the blockage from the blocked vessel in the brain. Patients are only eligible up to the first 24 hours after their stroke began.

This procedure is performed by an interventional neurologist and AVMC is currently the only hospital in the region with the capability to perform this procedure.

  • Endovascular Coiling: A procedure performed for patients with a brain aneurysm. A minimally invasive catheter-based procedure is used to block off an aneurysm using coils.
  • Surgical Clipping: This is a surgical procedure that is also used to treat an aneurysm performed by a neurosurgeon. A clip is placed on the aneurysm to seal it off.
  • Craniectomy: A life-saving surgical procedure performed by a neurosurgeon where a portion of the skull is removed and can help reduce pressure on the brain. Some patients with large strokes or hemorrhagic strokes may benefit from this procedure.
  • Ventriculostomy: A catheter inserted into the head by a neurosurgeon that can help monitor pressure and drain fluid. Some patients with large strokes or hemorrhagic strokes may benefit from this procedure.

What Happens at the Hospital After a Stroke Has Been Diagnosed?

The type of stroke and severity of a patient’s symptoms determines where they go after the Emergency Department. Some patients may need to stay in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit for frequent monitoring. This includes patients that receive tPA, have endovascular or surgical procedures, large strokes, or strokes caused by bleeding in the brain. Patients who do not require this higher level of care will be admitted to the Stroke Unit. No matter which unit the patient is sent to, they are cared for by nurses who are specially trained to treat stroke.

Stroke treatment at Antelope Valley Medical Center focuses not only on recovery, but also on prevention of further strokes. Patients are educated about their personal risk factors for stroke, as well as things they can do to reduce their risk for another stroke.

A stroke can be a disabling and life-changing event that impacts the whole family. At AVMC, we strive to include the family or caretaker in education, goal setting, and the discharge planning process. AVMC has in-house rehabilitation services 7-days a week for patients with deficits caused by their stroke. The rehabilitation team helps assess the patient’s needs and initiates therapy that can be continued after discharge. Case managers are involved when patients require further care after their hospital stay or who will need extra support to return home—ensuring that the patient is discharged to the appropriate setting and has the tools they need to succeed in the next steps of their care can profoundly impact their recovery and improve quality of life.

You may contact a stroke care team member, by calling the Stroke Program manager at (661) 949-5748, or the Stroke Clinical Coordinator at (661) 949-5854.

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