Saint Joseph's Center for Neuroscience

Saint Joseph's Center for Neuroscience serves to provide neuroscience services to metropolitan Atlanta and regional referrals for the Southeast. These collaborative efforts involve the professional areas of medicine, nursing, clinical services, rehabilitation and research. The broad spectrum of services includes acute care, health promotion, prevention, clinical services, rehabilitation, research and education.

Patients have access to the latest advances in neuroscience technology through the expertise and personalized care offered at Saint Joseph's Hospital.

Saint Joseph's is recognized as one of the leading acute-care hospitals in the Southeast and is highly respected for its reputable Center for Neuroscience. Saint Joseph's neuroscience center offers complete services for patient and the community -- including screening and prevention programs, advanced diagnostic and treatment procedures, dedicated research therapies and various support groups.

Screening, prevention and education

• Community stroke screenings.
• Community head-to-toe vascular screenings.
• Patient and family health-resource materials and displays.
• Lunch and learns.
• Videoteleconferences.
• Health promotion programs.
• Neuroscience educational conferences.
• Participation and leadership in Operation Stroke for metro-Atlanta.

Diagnosis
The Specialty Center for Neuroscience offers full radiology services including:

• CT scan - computerized tomography scan of head and spine.
• MRI - magnetic resonance imaging.
• MRA - magnetic resonance angiography.
• PET - Positive emission tomography.
• Myelogram.
• CT-guided procedures.
• Ambulatory EEG.
• Contiuous EEG and video monitoring.
• Somatosensory evoked potentials.

Treatments and follow-up
The center performs neurosurgical procedures involving brain, spine, nerves, such as:

• Intracranial pressure monitoring and control.
• Implantation of deep brain stimulators and infusion devices for pain management and spasticity.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery.
• Gamma KnifeC.
• Medical care for neurologic disorders.
• Thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke.
• Endovascular procedures.
• Intracerebral thrombolysis.
• Angioplasty.
• Stents.
• Stealth system guided neurosurgical procedures.
• Surgical treatment for parkinson's disease.
• Coiling for cerebral aneurysms.
• Embolizations.
• Epidural and intrathecal infusions.

Inpatient rehabilitation

• Physical and occupational therapy.
• Evelyn Trammel Voice & Swallowing Center.
• Pain management program.
• Nutrition therapy.
• Aquatics program at Wellness Center (for members only).

Research and outcomes

• Clinical research trials (new and advanced prevention and treatment studies).
• Participation in multisite research protocols.
• Case management.
• Stroke registry.
• TPA database.
• Participation and leadership in Operation Stroke for metro Atlanta.

Patient support and care

• Stroke team
• Clinical psychologists
• Pastoral Care
• Social Services
• Stroke Support Group for patients and families
• Highly-trained and caring nursing staff
• Expert physicians

Compassionate care
While state-of-the-art technology and medical excellence are of utmost importance, so, too, is the hospital's concern for the patient's total well-being. In keeping with the Sisters of Mercy philosophy of healing, Saint Joseph's is committed to answering each patient's spiritual and psychological needs.

Patient and family counseling, pastoral care, special support groups and social services are also key components of the neuroscience care team.

For more information about Saint Joseph's Center for Neuroscience, call 678-843-5740.

Ambulatory EEG and video monitoring
The addition of a new ambulatory EEG system will allow patients to undergo testing at home or at work. This new system records up to 24 hours of constant EEG data and has event-marking features, so patients can chronicle their symptoms as they occur.

About the size of a small cassette recorder, the ambulatory EEG system can be carried by patients at all times. Patients are fitted with the system as an outpatient and are instructed to return the next day to have the information downloaded for interpretation.

A new digital inpatient EEG system features video capabilities, allowing for the continuous monitoring of patients and their symptoms. This new video system is especially useful for patients requiring extended monitoring, due to a variety of seizure-related disorders or long-term unconsciousness.

For further information or to arrange an appointment, call the neurodiagnostic laboratory at Saint Joseph's Hospital at 678-843-5740.