The Wake-Up Call
Ashok (*), a schoolteacher, was sipping his morning tea and reading The Statesman as was his morning ritual. Like every Assamese, with his morning cup of chai and the daily newspaper he imbibed the essence of the city’s vibrant culture which, like a kaleidoscope of traditions, had woven itself into the fabric of his being.
The mighty Brahmaputra River, with its sinuous flow, was both a silent witness and a constant companion. But this morning was different from all the others. When Ashok sipped his chai, he felt his left arm grow heavy, and his speech, once eloquent, stumbled like a hesitant dancer.
The world around him was swirling in hues of nostalgia; the sun’s rays filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the veranda, but Ashok was not enjoying it any longer.
He recognized the signs – the intruder, swift and uninvited, had breached the citadel of his body. A stroke. The world became blurred, and time hung suspended. In that moment, the Brahmaputra seemed to whisper secrets, and the city held its breath. The city of Guwahati, with all its memories and mysteries, stood witness to Mr Ashok’s struggle.
The Race Against Time
In the heart of Guwahati, nestled amidst the bustling streets and verdant hills, stood Hayat Superspeciality Hospital – a beacon of hope for stroke patients. The hospital’s reputation was built on excellence, and its stroke management team was second to none. Their meticulous preparation had transformed the hospital into a stroke-ready fortress armed with cutting-edge technology and the latest protocols.
At Hayat, the stroke team, led by Dr Vineet Todi, sprang into action.
When Ashok in such a critical condition was whisked to the emergency department, symptom-to-door time exceeded 150 minutes. The activation of the Stroke Code set the wheels in motion, and Ashok was rushed to the CT scanner. His NIHSS score was alarming but hope lingered. The stroke team strived relentlessly to save Ashok.
Within the sterile confines of the CT room, Dr Todi meticulously examined the scans and other reports. The stubborn clot posed a formidable challenge, yet without losing hope the team persisted towards recanalization. Thrombolysis commenced in the CT room after which Mr Ashok was swiftly transported to the dedicated stroke unit and the post stroke protocols initiated. The nursing team in the stroke unit followed the FeSS protocol and monitored every step of Ashok’s progress.
Ashok’s wife was trembling in the waiting area, silently praying for her husband’s recovery. The prayer was heard; Mr Ashok’s recovery proved remarkable. The stroke team followed a rigorous protocol right up to discharge to ensure that Ashok’s life was given a second chance.
The story now repeats itself time and again and many patients like Ashok are being rushed to the Hayat Hospital where the team under Dr Todi treats every patient with the same passion and care. Their commitment to excellence is monitored through the RES-Q registry and was revealed when the hospital received its first Gold Award for stroke care in Q1 of 2023.
A Diamond in the Rough
In Q2 of 2023, Hayat reached new levels of excellence, earning the prestigious Diamond Award. Angels consultant Nilotpol Kumar, walking through the hospital corridors, encountered Dr Todi. Tears welled up in the doctor’s eyes as he said, “I was treating before, but you truly helped in turning the tide and empowered the team to give stroke patients a second chance.”
Beyond medicine, their work felt akin to magic. Both smiled.
And so Hayat Superspeciality Hospital continued its stroke journey – one patient, one miracle at a time.
Empowering Transformation: Angels’ Ongoing Impact on Stroke Management
In the wake of the remarkable strides achieved by the stroke team at Hayat Superspeciality Hospital, and bolstered by the unwavering support of Angels, a new dawn emerges. Their collaborative efforts have not only redefined stroke management but also breathed hope into lives that had teetered on the precipice of despair.
The hospital’s leadership, recognizing the seismic change wrought by this synergy, now stands resolute in their commitment to continuous improvement. Armed with data-driven insights and fortified by the Angels’ world-class consultancy, they forge ahead to continuously refine processes, optimize protocols, and harness cutting-edge technologies.
They’re driven by a singular purpose: to grant second chances at life, and promise hope to countless future Ashoks. Through their contributions they strive to save an increasing number of lives, positioning themselves as a leading organization in the field of stroke care.
But the commitment doesn’t end there. Dr Pragyan Kalita, the Deputy MS, is a champion for change. Under his leadership, the marketing team of Hayat have started community awareness programs for stroke as an emergency. Their advocacy for using ambulance services instead of personal vehicles, has already lead to a decrease in personal vehicle arrivals – another testament to their collective dedication.
(*) Not his real name
