Medical assistance for acute stroke patients is provided free of charge under the state health guarantees program.
Free inpatient treatment is available for patients brought in by emergency medical services, transferred from other healthcare facilities, or those who self-refer in a critical condition.
In Odessa, three cluster multidisciplinary hospitals offer inpatient care for acute stroke patients, having signed agreements with the National Health Service of Ukraine: City Clinical Hospitals No. 1, No. 10, and No. 11.
The provision of medical assistance to stroke patients includes an initial examination by a neurologist or neurosurgeon, as well as neuroimaging for all patients suspected of having an acute stroke, to be performed no later than 60 minutes after their arrival at the medical facility.
The multidisciplinary hospitals in Odessa equipped with CT scanners. The City Clinical Hospitals No. 10 and No. 11 also feature modern angiographs.
The guaranteed package of free medical assistance for stroke patients includes: monitoring of health indicators, anesthesiological support, thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke, round-the-clock laboratory tests in accordance with industry standards, and instrumental examinations such as CT scans, ECG, and ultrasound.
Rehabilitation for stroke patients should begin as soon as possible after hospitalization. Within the first 72 hours post-admission, consultations with a speech therapist or language therapist are provided, along with psychological or psychotherapy consultations.
Inpatient rehabilitation for stroke patients in Odessa is conducted in City Clinical Hospitals No. 1, No. 10, and City Hospital No. 8.
Outpatient rehabilitation services, particularly for stroke patients, are offered by City Clinical Hospitals No. 1, No. 10, No. 11, City Hospital No. 8, and Consultative-Diagnostic Center No. 29.
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The effectiveness of stroke treatment largely depends on how quickly the patient is taken to the hospital and receives specialized care. It is crucial to know how to recognize a stroke.
Symptoms of stroke can be remembered using the acronym BRAIN:
- Balance. Loss of balance or coordination, sudden severe headache;
- Reaction. Problems with speech, confusion;
- Appearance. Sudden facial asymmetry or crooked smile;
- Impairment. Sudden weakness or numbness in one side of the body; inability to raise one or both arms;
- Notice. Sudden vision problems, double vision.
To identify a stroke, ask the person to smile, say a simple sentence, raise their arms, or stick out their tongue (the tongue may appear distorted). Difficulty with any of these tasks may indicate a stroke.
If you suspect a stroke, immediately call emergency services at 103! This can save someone's life.
