Stroke of genius by Frere staff
Top treatment improving quality of lives
AN EAST London woman’s faith in public healthcare has been restored after technological advancements at Frere Hospital halted her stroke attack in just 35 minutes.
Developments made in thrombosis reversal at the hospital have massively reduced the time it takes them to reverse a stroke significantly, placing the hospital on par with the best in the world, when it comes to these types of occurrences.
Teonette Davis, 47, of Cambridge said when she realised she was having a stroke for the second time in her life, she feared the consequences.
“When I arrived at the hospital, I couldn’t talk or move the left side of my body, but by evening I was able to move my limbs a little, thanks to the quick response of the Frere medical team,” she said. She said just a few hours after her stroke, she had regained her speech and significant movement in her limbs.
“I’ve regained my quality of life fully, and I’m feeling great. Frere Hospital definitely gets a thumbs-up from me.” Neurologist Dr Stacey Rossouw, who heads up the team of medical experts involved in administrating the stroke reversal drug, said they worked hard to master administering the treatment as soon as the patient arrived at the hospital. The drugs, called the Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA) treatment, can only be administered within four-and-a-half hours of the patient’s stroke.
“Timing is an important factor in the success of the treatment plan. The entire medical staff knows that the minute a patient comes in with symptoms of a stroke, we activate the protocol immediately.
“Every minute counts in reversing the stroke and saving the life,” she said.
Rossouw said the successes the hospital has recorded since it started in October 2016, in stroke treatment and reversal has placed the institution on par with the best healthcare facilities in the world.
“We have successfully reversed strokes in 14 patients using limited resources.”
She said training was taking place in other regional hospitals to ensure such a service was delivered in other parts of the province.
“We hope that soon, stroke reversal services will reach even rural areas in Eastern Cape.” Rossouw said she hoped more people would respond faster to stroke attacks in order to its reverse lasting effects.
“If you suspect that you or your loved one may be having a stroke, get medical services involved, and come to Frere Hospital immediately.
“Stroke attacks are manageable, and their effects reversible, if you get necessary help on time.”
Stroke symptoms are:
● Facial asymmetry on one side;
● Arm drooping same side;
● Slurring of speech; and
● Time: how much time has lapsed since the last time you were normal. – on the