Northwestern Medicine Mobile Stroke Unit Available To Local Residents

WARRENVILLE, IL — Local residents who fear they may be having a health emergency can now take advantage of a mobile stroke detecting service that is being offered in Warrenville through Northwestern Medicine.

Northwestern Medicine’s Mobile Stroke Unit can now be directly dispatched to Warrenville and surrounding communities thanks to a collaboration to offer stroke diagnosis and treatment for local residents, the health system announced on Monday.

The unit offers a 16-slice CT scanner, telemedicine connections, and stroke-specific medications, officials said. The team is comprised of a critical care nurse, a CT technician, an EMT technician driver, and a critical care paramedic. On average, Northwestern Medicine’s MSU provides life-saving treatment 30 minutes faster than traditional transport.

If a patient is suffering stroke-like symptoms, officials said that both the MSU and Warrenville Fire Protection Advance Life Support (ALS) ambulance will be dispatched. The patient will undergo an assessment and CT scan to determine if they are suffering a stroke. The testing will also determine what type and appropriate immediate treatment.

If it is not a stroke, the Warrenville ALS providers will take command of the patient’s care and transport if necessary.

“When a patient is having a stroke, seconds count. The Warrenville Fire Protection District is pleased to partner with Northwestern Medicine to offer this life-changing and lifesaving initiative to the residents and visitors of our district,” Andrew Dina, the Warrenville Fire Protection District chief said in a news release. “Through this partnership, we will improve outcomes and save lives. Introducing the Mobile Stroke Unit program aligns with the fire district’s vision of pursuing excellence in emergency medical services by continually finding ways to make improvements in all that we do.”

Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital’s Mobile Stroke Unit can be directly dispatched by 9-1-1 to patients within the hospital’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) area, which includes Carol Stream, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Glenside, Hanover Park, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.

For areas in the secondary region that includes St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Elburn, Big Rock, Sugar Grove, North Aurora, and Fox River/Countryside, fire protection districts and ambulance services can request the mobile stroke unit for patients who meet stroke criteria.

“We are getting a 30-minute head start by bringing the emergency room to the patient,” Harish Shownkeen, MD, medical director of the Stroke and Neurointerventional Surgery Programs at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital said. “The earlier you treat the patient the better their outcome. Patients who get treated right away often go home from the hospital instead of to a nursing home or rehabilitation.”