Neurological care in South Denver

The Sky Ridge Medical Center neurology program brings together a team of neurosurgeons and staff in South Denver who have extensive experience treating nearly all forms of neurological disease. Our care teams take time to understand each patient's unique concerns and any challenges they may be facing. We combine a patient-centered approach with advanced technologies to provide neurological and neurosurgical services in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This type of comprehensive care makes us one of the premier neuroscience centers in south Denver.

Sky Ridge Medical Center is designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery by Blue Cross Blue Shield and we were named to Becker's list of 101 Hospitals with Great Spine and Neurosurgery Programs. Additionally, The Joint Commission recognized our spine surgery program and designated our hospital as the first Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center in Colorado. The American Heart Association recognized us with the Get with the Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Honor Roll Elite Award.

For more information about the Swedish Neuro Network at Sky Ridge Medical Center, please call (720) 225-5362.

Recognition



Neurological diseases we treat

Our neurologists have specialized expertise in treating a wide range of neurological diseases and conditions, including:

Advanced stroke care

Sky Ridge Medical Center has been recognized nationally for stroke care, and our emergency care physicians and neurologists work hand-in-hand to provide fast, lifesaving treatment.

Ours was the first hospital in the South Denver area to offer minimally invasive endovascular thrombectomy (clot removal) as a treatment of stroke. Patients who undergo this procedure quickly enough after a stroke begins often recover with little to no long-term damage.

The average time from diagnostic testing to completion of an endovascular thrombectomy is less than one hour at our hospital. This means we are able to have a blocked artery open in less than 20 minutes, with patients only needing light sedation.

Stroke symptoms

Knowing the warning signs of a stroke can help save lives. Being able to identify a stroke is one of the most proactive steps you can take toward combating it. Remember the acronym "F.A.S.T." when looking for the warning signs of stroke:

  • Face: Is one side of the face drooping?
  • Arms: Can they raise both arms? Does one drift downward?
  • Speech: Are words slurred? Can they repeat back a simple sentence?
  • Time: Time is crucial. If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911.

Stroke Alert Program

Sky Ridge Medical Center is part of the HealthONE family of hospitals. As such, we are proud to participate in the Stroke Alert Program, a program developed by HealthONE in partnership with local emergency medical services (EMS). Stroke Alert allows our physicians and EMS agencies to work together to provide seamless stroke care.

Stroke telemedicine

We use advanced telemedicine technology in our emergency room (ER) to allow patients with stroke symptoms to be assessed almost instantly by a neurologist who specializes in stroke care. As a result, our ER physicians are able to work quickly to treat stroke patients, reducing the long-term impacts of stroke.

Neuro-oncology program

Our surgical team is a leader in neuro-oncology, using innovative treatment methods to evaluate, diagnose and remove brain and spinal cord tumors. In partnership with our hospital's oncology program, we also offer access to neuro-oncology clinical trials.

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT)

LITT is a state-of-the-art, minimally invasive surgical technique for treating brain tumors. It allows neurosurgeons to gently and precisely use a robotically-driven laser to destroy tumor tissue using real-time MRI guidance.

Benefits of LITT

  • A leading-edge option for inoperable or recurrent brain tumors, radiation necrosis or tumors in medically-fragile patients.
  • Minimally invasive with an incision smaller than a centimeter.
  • Real-time MRI thermography allows the neurosurgeon to monitor tissue temperature while robotically steering laser light to ablate (destroy) unwanted tissue.
  • Faster recovery and same-day hospital discharge.
  • Covered by insurance.

Spine care

Our multidisciplinary spine care team includes specialists from orthopedic care and neurological care, allowing us to treat a wide spectrum of back, neck and spine conditions.

We stay on the forefront of surgical technology and use advanced techniques to provide the best outcomes possible for our patients. One example of this innovation is our use of minimally invasive robotic surgical technology for spine treatments. With this surgical technology, our spine surgeons can preplan procedures to a patient's exact anatomy, operate through small incisions and place hardware with extreme precision.

Additionally, we provide a preoperative spine surgery class when spine surgery is necessary. This class helps our patients learn how to prepare for their surgery and recovery.

Neurological rehabilitation

Our hospital provides physical therapy and rehabilitation services to help patients recover from spine surgeries, traumatic brain injuries, strokes and other neurological conditions and procedures. Rehabilitation begins as soon as possible to help you get moving safely and comfortably.

Sky Ridge Medical Center stroke program outcomes

Stroke data report
2022
Description Data

Median door to treatment with clot buster medication:

36 minutes (75% of cases treated in under 45 minutes)

Percentage of stroke patients treated with clot buster medications:

17% (National treatment rate 3-5%)

Median door to start of thrombectomy:

83 minutes (goal > 90 min)

Median door to successful large artery thrombectomy:

97.5 minutes (goal < 120 min)

Percentage of patients a large artery blockage who receive thrombectomy and have a good outcome:

56% (In studies where no treatment was done, good outcomes only occurred around 29% of the time)

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:

Neurological care at HealthONE

Neurological care is the practice of medicine that focuses on the treatment, function and diagnosis of diseases relating to the nerves and nervous system. Neurologists and neurosurgeons treat disorders that affect the brain or spinal cord.

Learn about Neurological care