December 12, 2011
Stroke partnership benefits Western Idaho
Cross-county alignment puts saving lives first
CALDWELL, Idaho — Stroke can be treated — if swift action is taken. That’s why Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, Idaho’s only Certified Stroke Center; West Valley Medical Center; and Canyon County EMS are working together for faster response and more lives saved in Western Idaho. 
“This is yet another life-saving relationship between southern Idaho health care groups looking to provide the best service possible for the patients in Western Idaho,” said Julie Taylor, CEO at West Valley Medical Center. “When precious minutes are at stake, patients can receive outstanding stroke treatment at a facility closer to home.”
Dr. Mary River, Saint Alphonsus neurologist and Stroke Medical Director, echoes Taylor’s thoughts. “Time is brain, and studies have demonstrated that early treatment leads to better outcomes and less disability from stroke.”
These organizations are partnering to improve the way in which stroke is treated in Caldwell. Through the use of mock incident response training, EMS and ED staff will be better prepared to aggressively treat stroke and bring better outcomes to stroke patients in the Caldwell area.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability. Most strokes go untreated because people may not recognize the symptoms of stroke or they drive themselves to a hospital unequipped to treat stroke. Many people do not realize that treatment can only occur within a short time window after stroke symptoms start.
Stroke symptoms include: facial weakness, droopiness, or numbness; weakness or numbness on one side of the body; or slurred, difficult or absent speech. If you or someone you are with experiences these symptoms, call 911. Studies show that calling 911 leads to better outcomes for stroke recovery.
About Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
Saint Alphonsus is a 387-licensed bed regional medical center serving people throughout the Northwest. As a not-for-profit medical center, Saint Alphonsus reinvests profits back into the community and works to improve the health and well-being of those we serve by emphasizing care that is patient-centered, innovative and community based. Saint Alphonsus focuses on providing services in a spiritual, healing environment, and is renowned for its state-of-the-art digital environment and pioneering technologies; award-winning clinical services; and the region’s only Level II Trauma Center. Saint Alphonsus is part of Saint Alphonsus Health System, a four-hospital, 714-bed integrated healthcare system serving the full range of the health and wellness needs of the people in southwestern Idaho, eastern Oregon and northern Nevada. Saint Alphonsus Health System is a member of Trinity Health.
For information about Saint Alphonsus visit www.saintalphonsus.org.
About West Valley Medical Center
Caldwell’s community hospital is one of the leading hospital facilities and employers in Idaho. This 150-bed, nationally accredited facility is dedicated to providing high-quality, cost-effective healthcare to Treasure Valley residents. For more information about West Valley Medical Center, please see www.westvalleymedctr.com.
