Page 5 - Stroke Care and Research | UR Medicine | University of Rochester

RAPID ACCESS AND TREATMENT

TIA CLINIC

The Rapid Access Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Clinic helps prevent individuals with
TIAs from having a stroke. TIA symptoms are similar to those of a stroke, but are
milder and generally do not cause permanent damage. They are a serious warning
sign that a true stroke may happen in the future if patients are not evaluated.
The TIA Clinic offers same-day access to primary care physicians and urgent care
centers, so patients with TIAs can be seen by specialists right away, and avoid
going to an emergency room. The clinic is staffed with a stroke neurologist and a
cerebrovascular neurosurgeon, with ultrasound and MRI imaging available on-site.

REGIONAL STROKE CARE

TELESTROKE
Our regional telestroke program provides the availability of 24/7 consultation
to hospitals, many of which cannot provide on-site, specialized stroke care. The
stroke team at Strong Memorial Hospital is contacted while the patient is still in
the emergency department of the regional hospital, enabling the neurologist/
neurosurgeon to speak with and examine the patient directly, alongside the local ED
physician. The telestroke system consists of a two-way video conference and CT/MRI
image transfer using a high-speed data transmission, transferring the scans within
seconds.
This technology offers patients in the region an invaluable advantage to receiving the
best possible outcomes.
COLLABORATIONS IN STROKE CARE
The Stroke Treatment Alliance of Rochester-New York (STAR-NY) is a URMC led
community-wide initiative that includes 30 hospitals from Western to Central New
York. The STAR-NY initiative is redefining stroke care by ensuring the delivery of
consistent, comprehensive, and cost-effective stroke care across multiple heath care
systems to all patients with cerebrovascular diseases.

The collaborative regional stroke care initiative—unique to New York State—strives to
increase acute intervention rates for stroke, decrease secondary stroke incidence, and
create a regional data registry to share outcomes and practices among all member
health care facilities.

RESEARCH

A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM
Tarun Bhalla, MD, PhD, and Curtis Benesch, MD, MPH, co-directors of Stroke and
Cerebrovascular Services, lead a multidisciplinary clinical research team including
members from Neurology and Neurosurgery. Their efforts allow us to partner with
the National Institutes of Health and industry to allow patients access to the latest
drugs and devices available for use in clinical trials, in an effort to treat cerebrovascular
diseases that have not historically had favorable solutions. Notably, our stroke
specialists are working to craft 3D printed models to help train physicians in treating
brain hemorrhages in a minimally invasive manner. We are also examining ways to
deliver the most cost-effective stroke care in the region. The expertise and vision of
Drs. Bhalla and Benesch pushes the boundaries of UR Medicine’s Comprehensive
Stroke Center’s services well beyond Monroe County, and sets an example of
excellence for the region.