Former employee puts Melfort primary stroke centre to the test
Months prior to Melfort primary stroke centre’s planned August 19 go-live date, former Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) employee Doris Smith unexpectedly became the program’s first patient.
“All of a sudden I just lost my voice,” Smith said, recalling the events of New Year’s Eve 2023. “I could hear (my daughter) talking but I couldn’t answer her.” Recognizing something was very wrong, Smith’s daughter and her husband took her straight to the emergency room (ER) where she was also joined by her son.
Fortunately, the facility was in the process of transitioning to a primary stroke centre. Education was complete and enough computed tomography (CT) and ER staff were on-site to manage a stroke patient. At that time, 24/7 ER physician and CT coverage remained the only outstanding item needed to secure official stroke centre status.
ER staff immediately recognized and diagnosed Smith’s symptoms and, with support and direction from the stroke team and neurologists at Royal University Hospital (RUH), delivered initial treatment before she was airlifted to Saskatoon, accompanied by her son.
“The medical team was able to administer the clot-busting medication right away,” said Brenda Mellon, Smith’s daughter. “Our family firmly believes that her recovery was significantly aided by having access to the advanced equipment and exceptional care she received in Melfort.”
