Stroke Care Program

A stroke is a medical emergency caused by a loss of blood to the brain from a blocked artery or ruptured blood vessel. Brain cells in the affected area die because they are not getting enough oxygen. The faster someone gets treatment, the better the chance of saving brain cells, and decreasing the risk of permanent damage.

If you think you (or someone with you) is having a stroke, call 9-1-1. 

Know the warning signs of stroke:

Get medical attention FAST to improve your survival and recovery.

What services are provided by the PEI Organized Stroke Care Program? 

The PEI Organized Stroke Care Program provides information, education and support in the following areas:

Education:

Education is crucial to helping you adjust to life after your stroke. 

Your healthcare team will provide you with information and resources in accordance with Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations. 

For more information, see:

• Living with Stroke 
• Your Stroke Journey 

Stroke prevention:

High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for a stroke. Early detection and treatment are important.

Other risk factors include:  high blood cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, poor eating habits, and physical inactivity. The Passport to Health [PDF | 1.24 MB] has tips and tools to manage these risk factors. Contact your local health centre for information on services that can help you to best manage your health.

You are at a greater risk for a new stroke if you have already had: 

• a transient ischemic attack (TIA) (same symptoms of a full stroke but may only last a few minutes or hours);
• a stroke, or
• other vascular event, such as a heart attack.

The Provincial Secondary Stroke Prevention Clinic is an outpatient clinic for individuals who have signs and symptoms of a recent TIA or a non-disabling stroke. The main objectives of the clinic are to reduce delays in risk factor management of high-risk stroke patients and to facilitate timely access to medical surgical interventions, if required. The clinic is located at the Polyclinic Professional Centre in Charlottetown.

Emergency care:

A stroke is a medical emergency. Calling 9-1-1 immediately could save your life, or the life of a loved one. 

Island EMS will take you to either PCH or the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). Each of these hospitals has a CT scanner which is needed to determine the best treatment for you.

In-patient care:

The majority of stroke patients will spend time on the Provincial Acute Stroke Unit, located at the QEH. A specialized team of health professionals will help you recover and prevent/reduce complications. The stroke team will also help you plan the next steps in your recovery.

Rehabilitation:

Your physician may refer you to the Provincial Acute Stroke Rehabilitation Unit, where a stroke care team will focus on further helping you regain as much function and independence as possible. 

Once you are discharged from the hospital (depending on your needs) your follow-up treatment plan may involve: 

• one or more outpatient visits to the Provincial Ambulatory Stroke Rehabilitation Clinic at the QEH (view the Provincial Ambulatory Stroke Rehabilitation Services brochure [PDF | 460 KB]); and/or
• more frequent visits to the District Ambulatory Stroke Rehabilitation Team at either the QEH or PCH.

Stroke Navigator:

The Stroke Navigator is a service that supports stroke survivors and caregivers to get help from health care professionals and connect with community resources.

The Stroke Navigator will:

• connect you with health care professionals who can support you;
• help you find and access community resources;
• provide you with access to informative booklets, websites and support groups; and
• answer your questions about stroke recovery.

Call 1-844-871-0634 (toll-free) or email strokenavigator@ihis.org to speak with the Provincial Stroke Navigator.

Who can I contact about PEI Organized Stroke Care?  

Provincial Stroke Coordinator
Four Neighbourhoods Health Centre
152 St. Peters Road
Charlottetown, PE   C1A 7N8

Telephone: (902) 218-0549
Email: provincialstrokecoordination@ihis.org 

Provincial Stroke Navigator
Four Neighbourhoods Health Centre
152 St. Peters Road
Charlottetown, PE   C1A 7N8

Telephone: (902) 620-3506 | 1-844-871-0634 (toll-free)
Email: strokenavigator@ihis.org