Welcome to the Stroke Prevention Clinic

Transcription

1 Welcome to the Stroke Prevention Clinic There are 2 Stroke Prevention Clinics in Hamilton. They are located at the Hamilton General Hospital and St. Joseph s Hospital. These clinics provide care to people who have had a stroke or TIA and their families. You will be called and told which hospital you will need to go to for your appointment. What is the Stroke Prevention Clinic? A Stroke Prevention Clinic is an outpatient clinic for people who have signs and symptoms of a recent stroke or transient ischemic attack. Transient ischemic attack is also called TIA or mini stroke. Stroke Prevention Clinics offer patients and their families early assessment, teaching and follow-up in order to help prevent another stroke or TIA. The Stroke Prevention Clinic is an outpatient clinic and does not replace an Emergency Department. If you have signs or symptoms of a stroke or TIA, call 911 or your emergency number and get to the nearest emergency department right away.

2 2 Welcome to the Stroke Prevention Clinic Who can come to a Stroke Prevention Clinic? Any person who has had a stroke or TIA can get an appointment at the clinic. You need to be referred by an emergency room doctor, your family doctor or another medical specialist. A family member or friend is welcome to come to the clinic with you. When you come to the clinic, your family doctor is kept informed of your progress and treatment plans. When is my appointment? After you are referred to a Stroke Prevention Clinic, a stroke specialist reviews your information. This doctor then decides how soon you need to be seen. Most patients are seen between 7 days to 3 weeks after the referral is received. Date: Time: Location: Hamilton General Hospital Level 1 East Wing Neurosciences Ambulatory Centre 237 Barton Street East St. Joseph s Hospital Fontbonne Building Level 5 50 Charlton Avenue East , ext , ext You will be contacted by phone about your appointment. You may receive a letter confirming your appointment. If you have not received an appointment one week after you were referred, call the Booking Clerk at ext , Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm.

3 Welcome to the Stroke Prevention Clinic 3 What can I expect at the Stroke Prevention Clinic? At the clinic you will meet with a doctor who is a specialist in stroke prevention and care. You may also: meet with a nurse to discuss your risk factors receive treatment have tests be referred to another specialist Your treatment and care is based on your needs. You will also get written handouts to read and share with your friends, family and care helpers. How do I get ready for my appointment? Before you come to the clinic you may need some help getting ready: Bring all of your medications in their containers from the pharmacy. These include vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, eye drops and inhalers. Bring a short written list of all your past surgeries, medical conditions or accidents with you. Include the area of your body involved and the year it happened. The nurse will review this at your appointment. Bring copies of recent tests such as CT or MRI scans and Carotid Dopplers that were not done at: Hamilton General Hospital, Henderson General Hospital, McMaster University Medical Centre, or St. Joseph s Hospital This includes paper or computer copies done on CD-ROM. You will need to call the private lab or hospital where these tests were done and ask for copies to be made and bring them to your first appointment. please turn over

4 4 Welcome to the Stroke Prevention Clinic On the day of your clinic visit Have your regular meals before your appointment. Take all of your regular medications on the day of your appointment. Plan to be at the clinic for 2 to 3 hours. Bring one person with you such as a spouse, family member or friend, if you can. Both clinics are wheelchair accessible. What happens after my first clinic appointment? The clinic: Sends a report of your visit to your family doctor. Books any tests and gives you a follow-up appointment at the clinic if needed. How can I contact the Stroke Prevention Clinic? To cancel or change an appointment, call the clinic you are booked to attend: Hamilton General Hospital St. Joseph s Healthcare, Hamilton Level 1 East Wing Fontbonne Building Neurosciences Ambulatory Centre Level Barton Street East 50 Charlton Avenue East Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton, Ontario , ext , ext Hamilton Health Sciences, 2003 PD /2010 dpc/pted/strokepreventionwelcome-trh.doc dt/march 30, 2010

5 Map to Stroke Prevention Clinic at St. Joseph s Hospital Charlton Avenue East James Street South Staff Parking St. Joseph s Hospital St. Joseph s Drive Fontbonne Building John Street South Public Parking Visitor Parking Enter here on Level 1 and take elevator to Level 5 PD 4112 Insert - 03/2010 dpc/pted/strokepreventionclinicsjhmap-trh.ppt dt/march 30, 2010

6 dt/march 30, 2010 PD /2010 dpc/pted/strokepreventionclinicmaphgh-trh.doc