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The introduction of Mallory Antico, RN, BSN, as Onslow’s Stroke Nurse Coordinator begins a new chapter in one of the hospital’s most passionate goals: treating and preventing stroke.

In 2010, Onslow was designated a Stroke Capable Hospital by the North Carolina Stroke Association and Brain Attack Coalition, becoming part of the North Carolina Stroke EMS Triage and Destination Plan.

“We are now moving forward with our commitment to make the prevention and treatment of stroke a top priority in our community,” said Jo Malfitano, RN, MSN, Performance Improvement and Accreditation Manager.

“We’re excited about the addition of Mallory to our team because of her strong stroke care and education background. She’s an excellent communicator and very passionate about reaching out to the community.”

According to the North Carolina Stroke Association, about 795,000 people each year suffer a stroke. It is the third-leading cause of death and a leading cause of serious long-term disability. Defined as a sudden interruption in the blood supply to the brain, a stroke is also called a brain attack because it occurs rapidly and requires immediate emergency medical treatment.

“One of the most important things about stroke is that the patient must get evaluated and treated very fast,” said Antico. “There is one medication we can give to break down the blood clot, but it has to be given within the first three hours after the onset of symptoms.”

Mortality rates from stroke are substantially higher in the nation’s Stroke Belt — typically defined as an eight- to 12-state region in the southeastern United States. The coastal plain of North Carolina is part of the nation’s Stroke Buckle, where the death rate from stroke is twice the national average, making the need for greater stroke awareness and education critical for Onslow and its neighboring counties.

“People generally don’t know how to recognize the signs and symptoms ofstroke and often don’t know how time-sensitive their situation is,” said Antico. (For a detailed explanation of stroke signs and symptoms, visit www.onslow.org and click on Stroke Awareness at the bottom of the page.) “Once people have an understanding of the risk factors, they are often empowered to make lifestyle changes that could help reduce their risk of a primary or secondary stroke,” she explained.

One of the locations Onslow currently serves on a volunteer basis is the Caring Community Clinic in Jacksonville, providing free screenings and consultations on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for those who qualify and are under- or uninsured.

Antico said the hospital has now begun reaching out to the faith-based community, offering stroke education and risk-factor screenings to area congregations at no cost (funded by Onslow Memorial Hospital, the North Carolina Stroke Association, the North Carolina Stroke Care Collaborative, and the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust).

“Our community is extremely receptive and very grateful for stroke education,” added Malfitano.   

Both Antico and Malfitano stressed the impact of the hospital’s leadership in supporting the stroke care program.

“The Executive Team and Onslow County Hospital Authority have been unwavering in their support of our stroke care program,” said Malfitano. “They are the reason we are able to help the community understand and prevent Stroke.”