Neurological care

We know facing the diagnosis of a complicated neurological disorder can be overwhelming. To help with this, we offer a range of services at our neuroscience center, such as:

• 24/7 team availability for stroke treatments
• 25 neuro-related clinical studies
• 2D and 3D intraoperative surgical imaging systems to help our surgeons excel in the operating room (OR)
• Critical care and neuroscience-certified nurses and nurse practitioners
• Fellowship-trained functional neurosurgeons
• Specialized palliative care services
• Stereotactic radiosurgery non-invasive procedures
• Stroke telemedicine services

We know the most effective treatments must not only address the illness, but also the individual. You will find our approach centers on caring for you as a person, not just treating the disease. That is why we offer surgical, non-surgical and rehabilitative options for neurological conditions.

Dedicated neurological intensive care unit (ICU)

Equipped with a dedicated 18-bed neurocritical care unit, our specialists use advanced diagnostic and monitoring techniques and technology to identify critical problems and prevent or minimize permanent neurological damage. With standardized protocols and management guidelines, our team offers you new hope.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

DBS is a surgical treatment to help treat debilitating neurological conditions, such as movement disorders. DBS uses a “brain pacemaker” that sends electrical signals to help regulate the symptoms of cognitive and movement disorders.

DBS uses minimally invasive, non-destructive and reversible techniques to help patients with movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonias (involuntary muscle contractions).

Epilepsy treatment

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain becomes interrupted. This results in unpredictable, recurring seizures, odd behavior or, at times, a loss of consciousness.

We offer highly comprehensive diagnosis and treatment capabilities for seizure disorders. We are able to do this because we are equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, specialized care units and a top-tier team of dedicated medical professionals.

Functional neurosurgery

Functional neurosurgery involves the restoration of neurological condition and function. This innovative and highly complex branch of medicine includes new devices and techniques that allow our neurosurgeons to help more people than ever before. It includes:

• Surgical management of epilepsy, including resection, laser ablation, stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), DBS, responsive neurostimulation (RNS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
• Functional surgery for chronic craniofacial, spinal and extremity pain disorders

MR-guided focused ultrasound for essential tremor treatment

MR-guided focused ultrasound (FUS) provides relief for patients with certain movement disorders including essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease.

This noninvasive treatment requires no incisions and is a game-changer for many who experience the effects of movement disorders. Using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, our team of experts precisely identifies the specific location within the brain causing the tremor symptoms, including shaking hands. Focused heat is then used to create a small burn to target the abnormality.

Because of the incredible precision and nature of FUS, we can treat hard-to-access, tiny targets with extreme accuracy. And, since anesthesia and incisions are not required, most patients are able to go home the same day. This procedure does not involve radiation, however patients with pacemakers, kidney disease or those who cannot undergo an MRI are not eligible for this procedure.

If your condition affects your daily life and medication is not able to relieve the symptoms, FUS might be an option for you. Patients with pacemakers, kidney disease or those who cannot undergo an MRI are not eligible for this procedure.

Neurocritical care

The neuroscience center of excellence at our hospital includes a robust neurocritical care program that offers advanced care for patients who suffer from life-threatening neurological illnesses.

Equipped with the latest technology and techniques, our highly specialized team of experts work together to create an individualized, comprehensive plan of care for each patient. Led by a neurocritical care board-certified medical director, our multidisciplinary team includes neurosurgeons (including a vascular fellowship-trained neurosurgeon), nationally recognized neuro-hospitalists, neurointensivist, neurologists, interventional radiologists, general surgeons, trauma surgeons, pulmonary medicine physicians and internal medicine physicians.

This expert physician team is supported by neuro-specialty trained RNs, a neurovascular program nurse practitioner and a neurocritical care educator and coordinator.

Spinal cord injury treatments

Many patients who seek treatment at the Falci Institute for Spinal Cord Injuries have a myriad of symptoms, relentless pain and complex diagnoses. Once they learn that our team has the experience and training to not only accurately diagnose their conditions, but also can help them live better lives, the relief can be palpable.

If you are continuing to suffer after a spinal cord injury and you aren’t sure where to turn, get in touch with us and learn how we may be able to help you. Our one-of-a-kind treatment options are like no other — we innovate and personalize care plans for each of our patients. Hear stories from our patients who may have experiences like yours. We encourage all people who have experienced a spinal cord injury to be aware of any changes in sensation, function, pain and strength. These often indicate the development of a complication from your injury.

Learn more about the Falci Institute for Spinal Cord Injuries.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)

SRS brain surgery often provides the best treatment options for trigeminal neuralgia and certain types of brain tumors. This is an incisionless surgery, meaning it delivers doses of pinpointed radiation to treat brain tumors and other neurological diseases. It is a safe, accurate procedure that helps save normal brain tissue.

Noninvasive SRS treatments are also completed in a matter of hours, as outpatient procedures. Patients generally go home in as soon as four hours and resume normal activities within a few days.

This type of surgery boasts a multitude of benefits for patients:

• Safe, accurate, reliable and non-invasive outpatient procedure
• Patients experience virtually no pain, discomfort or side effects
• Lower incidence of postoperative complications, infections and internal hemorrhage
• Patients are usually discharged within 12 hours, reducing the cost of treatment compared to traditional brain surgery
• Patients usually return to preoperative lifestyle the day following the procedure
• Covered by Medicare and most insurance providers

We currently have the newest model of one of the most trusted stereotactic radiosurgery products in the world.

Trauma treatments

Trauma and neurological damage often occur simultaneously, such as when a spinal injury also causes a traumatic brain injury (TBI). These types of injuries require fast, expert care, which you will find at our Level I Trauma Center. Here, our team of specialists provides that care, 24/7, offering immediate medical attention to patients from the moment they arrive.

Along with our own special trauma care units, we partner with two of our nearby HealthONE rehabilitation facilities to provide additional specialized trauma care:

• Craig Hospital
• Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital

HCA HealthONE Swedish is a national leader in the area of neurosciences. Featuring clinical depth and a team of experts, combined with unparalleled outcomes, HCA HealthONE Swedish has become the gold standard in stroke, neurology and neurosurgical care.

The Swedish Neuro Network leverages the quality and capabilities of HCA HealthONE Swedish with stroke/neuro care at five other HealthONE acute care hospitals for the benefit of patients throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Services are available at:

• HCA HealthONE Swedish
• HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge
• HCA HealthONE Presbyterian St. Luke's
• HCA HealthONE Rose
• HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge
• HCA HealthONE Aurora