Featured image: The White River Health Emergency Services — Cherokee Village team
The UAMS Institute for Digital Health and Innovation (IDHI) recognized White River Health (WRH) Emergency Services – Cherokee Village for safely administering Tenecteplase (TNK) within a record-breaking 15 minutes of a patient’s arrival at the emergency room.
TNK is a clot-busting medication that can be given to patients having a stroke within the first four and a half hours of the onset of symptoms. The WRH Cherokee Village ER team was recognized at an event on Wednesday, Nov. 15.
Grace Gurley, RN, and Kelsey Brannon, radiology tech, received a report from EMS identifying that a patient was having a stroke. Upon arrival at the facility, the patient was taken in for a CT scan. Gurley initiated the consultation via telemedicine with a neurologist and performed a bedside NIH (National Institutes of Health) Stroke Scale exam.
Once the team confirmed that the patient was having a stroke, Gurley was given the order by the neurologist to administer TNK.
Gurley received IDHI’s Gold Nursing Award for her quick actions on behalf of her patient. This award is given to nurses throughout Arkansas for administering TNK within 30 minutes of a patient’s arrival at the emergency room. In addition, Brannon received a Certificate of Appreciation through the program for her quick response and ability to notify the radiologist promptly. This award recognizes ancillary staff for their contribution to stroke care. The teamwork and dedication provided by the staff at WRH Emergency Services – Cherokee Village saved a life and set a record for WRH and all Arkansas hospitals participating in the program.
WRH emergency departments participate in the IDHI Stroke Program throughout Arkansas. This program assists in early recognition and treatment of patients experiencing a stroke.
