Neurological care

We offer some of the Rocky Mountain region’s most advanced stroke care through our network of ERs and stroke centers certified by The Joint Commission. With treatment times well below national standards, our board-certified neurologists are available 24/7.

The HealthONE Stroke Alert Program is a partnership between our facilities and local emergency medical services (EMS) providers. When EMS providers notify one of our facilities of a potential stroke patient, the stroke team assembles. This ensures they are ready to diagnose and treat the patient as quickly as possible upon the patient's arrival.

Chiari-1 malformation (CM-1) is a condition in which the brain extends out from the base of the skull, along the spinal cord. At our Colorado Chiari Institute (CCI), we provide leading treatments for CM-1. The CCI also offers advanced care for syringomyelia, tethered spinal cord and other related neurological conditions.

At our facilities, our neurosurgeons provide access to both traditional neurosurgery and minimally invasive procedures.

Minimally invasive functional neurosurgery

Our minimally invasive methods include interventional neuroradiology (INR) (e.g., neuroendovascular surgery) and robot-assisted surgeries. These approaches for functional neurosurgery offer less invasive treatments for a host of neurological conditions. They also provide benefits such as a faster recovery, shorter hospital stay and reduced pain after surgery.

Some of the minimally invasive and robotic surgeries we offer include:

Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

DBS involves placing electrodes on specific areas of the brain. As an advanced means of treating Parkinson's disease, tremors and related conditions, DBS can reduce your symptoms. In some cases, it can even remove symptoms entirely.

Magnetic resonance (MR) guided focused ultrasound

MR-guided focused ultrasound is a completely incisionless way to effectively treat conditions such as essential tremor. We use the ultrasound waves to target and essentially burn out areas of the brain causing the symptoms.

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT)

LITT is a robotically controlled laser thermotherapy that uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided light to eliminate brain tumors and other abnormalities. Directing a laser through a small hole in the skull, we are able to heat and destroy brain tumors without damaging adjacent sections of the brain.

Stereotactic radiosurgery

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a unique process in which precise radiation beams are focused to treat a specific area in the brain. This procedure avoids surgically opening the skull, with favorable results for your quality of life, treatment cost and clinical outcomes.

When applicable, we provide neuromodulation treatment as pain management, which involves stimulating certain nerves to ease neurological symptoms. We use this treatment to help reduce the symptoms of epilepsy, movement disorders, severe headaches, neck and back pain and other neurological conditions.

Our cancer care and neurology programs come together to provide progressive techniques to diagnose and aggressively treat spinal cord and brain tumors. Our comprehensive neuro-oncology program includes:

• Biological therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Neurosurgery
• Radiation therapy
• Stereotactic radiosurgery

Rehabilitation is a key step in recovering from a neurological surgery, disease or injury, which is why we provide neurological rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation for stroke and other neurological conditions may involve a combination of physical, occupational and speech therapies. Our rehabilitation therapists create a personalized treatment plan to maximize function and independence for every patient.

Your brain is the epicenter of your wellbeing. When there is a problem, it affects you in many different ways. As such, neurological diseases and disorders require specialized treatment from a variety of specialists. When you come to one of our facilities for neurological care, the teams at our hospitals include:

• Neurologists
• Neuroscientists
• Neurosurgeons
• Nursing staff
• Occupational therapists
• Orthopedic surgeons
• Physical therapists

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

The Swedish Neuro Network leverages the quality and capabilities of 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:

• Swedish Medical Center
• North Suburban Medical Center
• Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center
• Rose Medical Center
• Sky Ridge Medical Center
• The Medical Center of Aurora