At Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority, we’re always looking for ways to deliver faster, better care—and when it comes to strokes, every second matters. That’s why we’re excited to share that our brand-new Pit Stop process for Code Stroke patients is now fully up and running. It’s already been used successfully multiple times and is making a real difference in how quickly we’re able to treat people during one of the most critical medical emergencies.
The idea behind the Pit Stop is simple: move stroke patients through initial evaluation, imaging, and treatment as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our emergency department staff have spent months fine-tuning this process. They’ve completed specialized training, practiced mock scenarios, and committed to a system that puts speed and coordination at the center of stroke care.
We ran our very first mock Code Stroke on February 17, 2025. Our “patient,” Jane Mock, was a 52-year-old woman who arrived at the hospital with sudden aphasia and weakness on her right side. Her husband recognized the symptoms and got her to us fast—just what we hope happens in a real-life scenario. From the moment she walked in, our team moved into action. Registration notified the triage nurse, Mia, who brought her straight to the Pit Stop area. There, she met Kevin, our dedicated Stroke Nurse, and within minutes, vitals were taken, IV access was established, and the stroke symptoms were confirmed.
Dr. Vajen was notified and immediately assessed the patient. He officially activated Code Stroke at 9:20 a.m. What followed was a masterclass in teamwork: radiology was ready, the tele-specialist neurologist was looped in within two minutes, and the patient was being prepped for her CT scan in record time. Despite a minor challenge with background noise during the telehealth consult, the team adjusted on the fly, demonstrating the kind of flexibility and focus that’s crucial in emergency care.
Just over a week later, on February 25, we held another walk-through to test and improve the system. This time, from the moment Patient Access reported stroke-like symptoms to the patient being ready for a CT scan, only 13 minutes passed. It was a powerful example of how preparation, training, and teamwork can truly make a difference.
We learned that clearer communication between triage and providers can help smooth transitions, and we recognized the importance of documenting key time points like when BEFAST results are positive and when the provider is first notified. We’re already making changes, such as adding a laminated checklist to the stroke robot basket and using the robot screen as the primary timekeeper during stroke protocol.
All of this work—every training, mock drill, and real-time response—is leading to better outcomes for our community. Nationwide, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds. Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, but when care is delivered quickly, recovery outcomes improve significantly. That’s exactly what the Pit Stop process is designed to do.
We’re proud of the work the CIHA team has done to bring this system to life, and we’re excited to see it already making a difference. Most importantly, we’re grateful to everyone who played a role in launching this effort—from ED nurses and providers to radiology, pharmacy, and telehealth specialists.