Initiative to address full spectrum of care
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HURON — Huron Regional Medical Center (HRMC) has committed to participation in Mission: Lifeline Stroke, a statewide initiative of the American Heart Association to strengthen the full spectrum of stroke care across South Dakota.
Mission: Lifeline Stroke focuses on connecting all components of acute stroke care into a smoothly integrated system that reinforces the use of evidence-based guidelines to timely and effectively treat stroke patients. It brings together hospitals, emergency medical services and first responders, rehabilitation facilities, communications and regulatory agencies, and state and local government to forge a proactive system of stroke care that saves and improves lives.
The Mission: Lifeline stroke initiative will support both rural and urban hospitals to address gaps in consistent delivery of high-quality stroke care, ensuring all stroke patients in South Dakota have the best possible chance at survival and an independent quality of life.
“This will be especially impactful in rural South Dakota. Stroke treatment is time-sensitive, so getting patients the proper treatment faster, is crucial,” said Joani Guzman, program consultant for the Mission: Lifeline Stroke South Dakota initiative. “So many South Dakotans live in rural areas where access to neurologists is limited to telemedicine. Every minute saved in stroke treatment can directly improve survival and recovery rates.”
Cardiovascular disease, including heart and stroke conditions, is the leading cause of death in the United States. The acute nature of strokes is particularly deadly and requires time-sensitive treatment to save lives and reduce lasting disability. Stroke is a leading cause of death in South Dakota, accounting for 393 deaths in 2022. Many more South Dakotans are living with stroke-related disabilities.
“When it comes to stroke, every second counts,” stated Jackie Kleinsasser, RN, HRMC emergency room coordinator and leader of the Mission: Lifeline Stroke initiative at HRMC. “This program will allow our teams to participate in a network of professionals and access the latest treatment guidelines to enhance rural emergency medicine and patient care, which can help individuals who experience stroke have a better recovery.”
For more information on the Mission: Lifeline Stroke project in South Dakota, visit https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/south-dakota/south-dakota-mission-stroke or learn about Huron Regional Medical Center at https://www.huronregional.org.
