Neurology

 

UT Health East Texas Neurological Institute

UT Health East Texas Neurological Institute offers access to high-level treatment of the brain, spine and neurological system. Neurological specialists are available 24/7 and provide a wide range of specialties, allowing patients to receive the care they need at a comfortable and convenient location.

Medical treatments and technologies used at the center include CyberKnife Radiosurgery, sterotactic neuronavigation, The Penumbra system, Medtronic StealthStation, brain endoscopy, brain mapping and awake brain surgery. These advanced procedures and tools allow for better treatment outcomes and faster recovery for the patient.

Our Specialists

Our team of board-certified neurologists, neurosurgeons and specialized technicians are committed to patient-focused care. Their expertise covers a wide range of specialties:

• Conservative spine treatment
• Epilepsy treatment
• Movement disorders (including Parkinson’s)
• Neurological Oncology
• Stroke Care
• Neurological surgery and trauma
• Neuroradiology and Interventional Neuroradiology
• Pain Management
• Rehabilitation

 

Our flagship stroke program at UT Health Tyler is certified by the Joint Commission as a primary stroke center. The first hospital in East Texas to have a certified stroke center, the program has gone on to receive recognition and awards for their effort to ensure high quality care.

Stroke Performance Measures

• Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center

UT Health Tyler has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association's Heart-Check mark for Comprehensive Stroke Certification. This certification recognizes the significant commitment of resources comprehensive stroke centers must have to treat complex stroke. UT Health Tyler prepared for the certification process by offering its patients the latest approaches for caring for brain aneurysms, including coilings, clippings and flow diversions. UT Health Tyler has the ability to care for the most acute and complex patients. This is possible with state-of-the-art neurointerventional angiography and advanced imaging tools. Our specialized stroke team manages the stroke patient from the onset of the stroke to rehabilitation and then management post stroke.  

"This designation encompasses the full spectrum of stroke care--diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education. We offer state-of-the-art stroke care every minute of every day. This certification is proof of our commitment to the East Texas community," - Vicki Briggs, CEO of UT Health Tyler.

 

• 2019 Gold Plus Award Winner

UT Health Tyler has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award in 2019. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

UT Health Tyler earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. UTHealth uses comparative data from other comprehensive stroke hospitals who participate in the Get With The Guidelines program

Timely intervention to improve blood flow to the brain during an ischemic stroke is a strong predictor of improved functional outcomes for patients who suffer a stroke. Our team of professionals use technology and clinical expertise to reduce the amount of time to revascularization (increased blood flow) to the brain. The chart below illustrates current performance in minutes and provides a comparison to other comprehensive stroke hospitals. Shorter times are better.

There are risks associated with interventional procedures to improve blood flow to the brain for ischemic stroke patients. These risk include cerebral bleeding and clinical deterioration. The chart below shows the combined percentage of patients treated with Intra-Venous Thrombolytic Therapy, Intra-Arterial Thrombolytic Therapy and Mechanical Endovascular Reperfusion Therapy who suffered intracranial bleeding after the procedure. Lower Hemorrhagic Transformation rates translate to less bleeding complications for stroke patients.

Outcome Measures

The Modified Rankin score at Discharge is a measure of how well a person can function after suffering a stroke and receiving appropriate care. The Modified Rankin scale assigns a numerical value from zero to 5. The chart below illustrates the percentage of patients with hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke and their functional status at discharge.

Mortality Rates:

Another important outcome measure is the mortality rate associated with key interventional procedures to help people who suffer strokes or to prevent a future stroke.

A Carotid Endarterectomy is a procedure to treat poor blood flow in a patient’s carotid artery. The Carotid Endarterectomy mortality rate at discharge is 0% since January 2019 and the 30 Day Carotid Endarterectomy rate is also 0% since January 2019.

We make care for our patients a priority. That’s why we provide our patients with a variety of services to support them during their stay and treatment. Support services include case managers, chaplains, nutritionists, pharmacists, Home Health services, psychiatrists, social works and support groups. To view 2019 neurological support groups location and dates, please visit our Facebook page.

For more information about treatments available or for a physician referral, please call the UT Health East Texas Neurological Institute at 903-553-6092.