After working several hours as a radiographer prepping patients and processing X-rays, Brian decided to grab lunch. As he walked to the cafeteria, he started feeling dizzy and his right side became increasingly numb. He told his coworkers the symptoms and they grabbed a wheelchair and transported him to the Red Bud Regional Hospital ED. A radiologist performed a CT Scan and it was determined that he needed further treatment at Saint Louis University Hospital.

The MidAmerica Stroke Network (MASN) team was then activated. MASN is a system of hospitals that shares knowledge, educational programs and technologies to provide high-level stroke care to patients throughout the bi-state region.

 The ED personnel from RBRH consulted with Eli Feen, M.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology & Psychiatry at Saint Louis University and neurologist at SLU Hospital.

 Dr. Feen determined that Brian was in need of further treatment. He was flown by ARCH Air Medical Service to SLU Hospital, taking less than 20 minutes to arrive. Once at SLU Hospital, Dr. Feen recommended that Brian undergo several tests including an MRI, EKG and carotid ultrasound, which revealed that he had a stroke.

 When rural facilities have someone present with symptoms of a stroke, they are able to collaborate with the MASN team to determine the appropriate plan of action. With Brian’s symptoms, the Network operated by:

• RBRH’s emergency team performed a complete neurological assessment of Brian and administered the appropriate treatment.

• The attending physician determined that Brian required further neurocritical care and called the MASN hotline to page Dr. Feen, the SLUCare stroke specialist on-call for additional medical support.

• After receiving the page, Dr. Feen consulted with the member hospital’s attending physician at RBRH.

• Since the collaborative medical team determined that Brian’s condition could not be effectively stabilized on-site at RBRH, a rapid transport to SLU Hospital was arranged immediately.

• Brian promptly received a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), the necessary medical treatment, upon arrival at SLU Hospital.

• SLU Hospital then discharged him back into the care of his primary physician and RBRH for continued treatment and follow-up care.

 “The key to the success of Brian’s outcome was prompt treatment. We were able to assess the symptoms and treat Brian in less than three hours. This is crucial timing for stroke patients because it means there will be less damage to the brain,” says Dr. Feen.

 Brian received the correct treatment and was sent home after three days. At the time of this interview, he was on a heart monitor for 30 days to determine if additional medical attention is required.

Brian returned to work three weeks after his initial symptoms. He is happy to be with his family and enjoying his favorite hobbies, Rams football and his yellow Saturn Sky roadster that he drives to car rallies in the Midwest. 

“I know I was at the right place at the right time,” says Brian. “I was very lucky to be where I was at when all this happened.”

The Network now has over 30 rural community hospitals that provide critical access to patients in both Missouri and Illinois. Working together we are saving and improving the lives of countless people affected by stroke.