UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies earns higher stroke center designation
Loveland, Colo. – UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies (MCR) is the first hospital in northern Colorado to be designated a Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center.
The advanced designation, announced recently by The Joint Commission, recognizes MCR’s commitment to providing high-quality stroke care, including mechanical thrombectomy procedures and post-procedural care. The designation is based on a rigorous evaluation of the program’s staff expertise, infrastructure, education, quality and safety measures.
MCR began offering mechanical thrombectomy in late 2023. The minimally invasive technique removes life-threatening blood clots lodged in the brain’s large central vessels and aims to restore blood flow to the brain. Since the program launched, the team has treated more than 100 stroke patients using this technique, which not only saves lives but also can lead to a higher quality of life after stroke.
“This isn’t just about a number. It’s about people: the patients whose lives were changed, the moments when every second mattered,” said Dr. Gautam Sachdeva, vascular interventional neurologist at MCR and leader of the thrombectomy program.
Mechanical thrombectomy is most effective when performed quickly, according to Sachdeva. Traditional clot-busting medications don’t always work on large clots and tend to have a stricter timeframe for administration. Thrombectomy can be offered up to 24 hours after the patient was last known to be well.
“Time is critical in this type of procedure,” Sachdeva said. “When this is done promptly and there’s minimal brain damage already, patients can experience near-complete recovery.”
MCR is the only hospital between Denver, Colorado, and Casper, Wyoming, offering this advanced procedure. Previously, patients had to be transported to Denver, if time allowed. Now, patients from northern Colorado and southern Wyoming can receive life-saving care quicker and closer to home.
The new certification comes on the heels of the American Heart Association recognizing MCR with the Get With the Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment, according to research-based guidelines. MCR also was recognized by the association with awards for meeting criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy, meeting criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke and ensuring patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
Know the signs: BE FAST
A stroke can happen at any age and any time, and approximately two million brain cells die every minute a stroke goes untreated. Sachdeva urges everyone to know and watch for the signs of stroke and be ready to act. BE FAST is an easy way to remember sudden signs of stroke:
• Balance. Sudden loss of balance or inability to walk straight.
• Eyes. Sudden loss or changes in vision.
• Face. Uneven smile or drooping of mouth.
• Arm. Sudden loss of arm strength or coordination.
• Speech. Inability to speak clearly or to understand what is being said.
• Time. Time to call 911 if you suspect stroke symptoms.
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