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Saint Elizabeth Stroke Success Story Bill Kobza had a stroke while he was at work---but he didn’t know it! He felt a little light headed and thought he’d get a coke from the workplace ‘frig and sit down for a few minutes. | Watch Video A co-worker noticed he was grabbing at the cans but they just rolled onto the floor---can after can after can. That co-worker went to get Barb Ballard, wife of the vineyard’s owner, Jim Ballard. Jim came also. They had Bill lay on the floor and put cool compresses to his face. Jim called 9-1-1 and Raymond rescue squad arrived quickly. They knew Bill lived near Saint Elizabeth so they asked he be taken there. | Watch Video Bill couldn’t talk---and it’s probably a pretty good thing he couldn’t! Even though he couldn’t talk he was thinking it’s not all that big a deal. Was he ever wrong! | Watch Video Stroke Alert Time = Brain 48 hours later Bill Kozba was heading home, happy and with minimal side effects from his stroke. He had a few problems with his speech, but every day that got a little better.  Stroke patient Bill Kobza with two members of the Rescue Squad and his neurologist, Dr. James Bobenhouse who treated him at Saint Elizabeth. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stroke Timeframes • His co-workers at James Arthur Vineyard called 9-1-1 • 4:19pm Bill arrived at the Saint Elizabeth ED; he couldn’t speak except to say “OK” • 4:42 (23 min later) he was getting his CT scan [national goal=25 min] • 4:50 Lab results reported in 31 minutes (national goal 45) • 4:51 CT results reported in 32 minutes (national goal 45) • 5:41 tPA was administered [82 min after arrival] • 48 hours later bill was discharged, needing rest at home but he could speak again and could walk out of the medical center ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ REUNION PHOTO A couple months after having his stroke, Bill returned to Saint Elizabeth to meet with and thank the medical team that delivered such excellent---and rapid!—medical care and helped him return to his normal self! He says he has a few minor speech issues to overcome but otherwise he is excellent and back to his normal self!  On the far right are Bill’s wife, Luanne and on her right, Barb Ballard of James Arthur Vineyard who was among those who called 9-1-1 and got Bill help fast. Others include paramedics, physicians (ER + neurologist + IMS), nurses, radiologists, lab team, ED team, stroke team, CCU team, social worker, speech therapist, occupational therapist and physical therapist. Saint Elizabeth: taking stroke care to a higher level. |
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