Morrow County Paramedics, Nurses Work Together During Stroke Care Exercise

When every second counts, communication between first responders and hospital providers is crucial. That's why last week, OhioHealth Morrow County Hospital nurses and Morrow County EMS workers got together to practice making that handoff seamless. They participated in a training exercise at Morrow County EMS headquarters, led by the Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit. 

“The different agencies that are involved in taking care of patients are getting together to talk about how we work together as a team, versus what is each of us doing separately,” said Morrow County Hospital President Mike Hyek. “Because how we work together is critical for the best outcome for the patient.”

In this case, the patient's medical emergency was stroke related. 

Educators and paramedics from the Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit spoke about how to recognize and assess stroke, and how to intervene.  

“Stroke affects no one more,” said Manager of the Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit Nate Jennings. “It’s the leading cause of disability across the country. And so, we know that when people face stroke events, they need to be able to reach an emergency department very quickly to get the life-saving medications that have been tested and true.”

EMS workers and nurses spent the second half of the afternoon practicing stroke scenarios, assessing a patient on the scene and then handing them off at the hospital. 

“No previous history of stroke,” one paramedic told a Morrow Couty Hospital nurse during the exercise. “LAMS score is 4. Patient is not on any blood thinners.”

While the Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit doesn't come to Morrow County for the time being, Jennings says that could change down the line. 

“We’re always thinking about where to take something that is really proven to be effective in managing strokes for our patients into new regions,” said Jennings.

For now, Morrow County Hospital providers are focused on their top-of-the-line resources at the hospital to get patients the best care possible. They know with the collaboration of Morrow County EMS workers; they can save many lives.