Stroke Care
Diagnosis
At the Holy Cross Hospital Emergency Center, priority is given to patients
who may be having a stroke. Several tests are used to provide rapid
evaluation and treatment options.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan—Uses X-rays to take
pictures of a patient’s skull and brain and is usually one
of the first tests done in a stroke evaluation. CT scans for possible
stroke patients receive top priority. They are completed within
25 minutes of the physician order and are interpreted within 20
minutes.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—This test is similar
to a CT in that it can reveal abnormalities in brain structures.
But rather than using X-rays to create images, MRI uses magnets
and radio waves. It is the most sensitive exam for detecting strokes
and chronic disorders of the nervous system.