Wednesday January 30, 2013 www.saobserver.net $1.25 GST Included
Hospital upgrades stroke treatment By Barb Brouwer OBSeRVeR STAFF
eighteen months of groundwork has culminated in a new designation for Shuswap lake General Hospital and better care and outcomes for stroke patients. last week, the hospital was designated as a thrombolytic centre for the treatment of stroke. Patients who arrive at the local emergency department with an acute stroke will now be able to receive thrombolytic drugs used to clear blocked arteries instead of travelling to Kamloops for treatment – if the treatment is appropriate. dr. darren lorenz, head of the hospital’s eR department, says stroke patients first undergo a cT scan. “We want to make sure there is no bleeding on the brain,” he says, of the drugs which are also known as clot-busters. “If there is blood in the head, we don’t want to make them bleed more.” But the treatment and care for patients who have suffered strokes goes way beyond clot-busting drugs. As well as having 24-7 access to the cT scanner, recognizing the type of stroke a person is having and caring for them post-stroke are critical to successful outcomes. nurse Rob laBelle is a member of the hospital’s five-member stroke team. He is one of a group of nurses who have taken “Hemispheres Stroke competency” training, enhanced specialized training for stroke care. “It goes above and beyond basic stroke skills,” says laBelle, noting care is provided in a special “stroke-preferred bed” with special equipment and space to accommodate several caregivers. “If they receive (thrombolytic) drugs in emerge, they’ll stay there until they’re stabilized, then move to Icu for a minimum of 12 hours so they can be monitored, then move to the stroke-preferred bed,” says laBelle, pointing out the importance of having dedicated, trained nurses and a designated place so everyone knows that the bed houses an acute stroke victim. “We hope patients will recover more quickSee Timing on page A2
James murray/OBSeRVeR
High flyin’
Tristen Schikowski and Ty Sigvaldason achieve extra distance and air time by using their Crazy Carpet to slide down the slide at Fletcher Park.
Teen escapes possible abduction By Tracy Hughes OBSeRVeR STAFF
RcMP in Salmon Arm are looking for a man in a latemodel Oldsmobile in connection with what appears to be an attempted abduction of a teenaged girl.
This week It’s a true-life tale of how the cat came back — after 11 months. Meet Pumpkin on A13. Rudi Ingenhorst has earned a place in the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Find out more on A16.
Police say a 17-year-old girl was walking along 30th Street ne about 10 a.m. on Jan. 24 when the man attempted to lure her into his vehicle. The man initially approached the girl in his car, pulling up beside her and asking for directions.
She did not respond. He then asked if she wanted a ride and grabbed her hand. The victim was able to pull her hand away and flee the scene. The suspect is described as an older man, unshaven with greyish brown hair that is
thinning at the top. The Oldsmobile has some rust and various dents on the side. Police in Salmon Arm are asking anyone who may be able to identify the suspect to contact the local RcMP detachment or crime Stoppers.
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Life & Times ............... A8 Time Out................... A11 Sports............... A15-A19 Arts & Events ... A20-A22 Vol. 106, No. 5, 40 pages