Billings Clinic receives prestigious stroke care designation
BILLINGS – Another Billings hospital is putting Montana on the stroke care map as the Billings Clinic receives a prestigious award for its stroke center.
The Billings Clinic on Wednesday announced its appointment by DNV, a risk management company, as a comprehensive stroke center for its comprehensive stroke treatment, education and research.
“Stroke care requires the best clinicians and resources, but also the ability to work extremely efficiently as a team due to the time-sensitive nature of these events,” said Gauhar Chaudhary, MD, neurohospitalist at Billings Clinic. “This certification from DNV reflects the countless hours and dedication of the Billings Clinic staff to providing quality care to ensure the health and safety of our patients.”
The Billings Clinic joins 300 other comprehensive stroke centers across the United States and is the first and only healthcare organization in Montana and Wyoming to receive certification.
“Strokes are extremely complicated. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for stroke,” says Dr. Clint Seger, interim CEO of Billings Clinic. “Each patient requires unique care. That’s why it’s so important for our organization to be prepared for whatever comes through the door in stroke.”
In 2022, the Billings Clinic enrolled 700 patients with symptoms of stroke and treated 400 patients with a confirmed stroke. Doctors say these numbers show an increase in the trend in stroke patients, and part of the increase they say is better stroke detection.
One of those patients was Phil Ostrowski, a resident of Sheridan, Wyoming, who was transferred to the Billings Clinic after suffering a stroke.
“It’s amazing in itself to specialize in something that’s so life-threatening for so many people, but to see first-hand how the system works is also amazing,” Ostrowski said.
Billings Clinic stroke resources include a full team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurohospitals, nurses and support staff; 24-hour availability of thrombectomy and stroke care; advanced imaging and diagnostic equipment such as the newly built biplane suite; a qualified emergency department team as the first point of contact; a robust regional transfer center; and post-acute care resources to help patients with their rehabilitation and recovery.
“We have the necessary staff, infrastructure, expertise and programs to diagnose and treat stroke patients who require the highest levels of medical and surgical care, specialized testing or interventional therapies,” said Vance Fredrickson, MD, neurosurgeon the Billings Clinic. “It means patients in our region can continue to receive the life-saving care they need, when they need it, while staying close to home.”
