At Broward Health, assessment and treatment begin in the Emergency Department by our Brain Attack Team (BAT). The BAT is available 24/7 and consists of Emergency Medical Services (EMS and paramedics), emergency medicine physicians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, interventional radiologists, radiologists and nursing staff. The designated Stroke Units are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure your loved one receives the best possible care.

Our comprehensive neurological services include:

• Neurosurgery – aneurysm clipping, minimally invasive back/spine surgery, pain control, brain lab, anterior and posterior cervical discectomies, evacuation of subdural or epidural hematoma, VP shunts, craniectomies, stereotactic brain biopsy, craniotomy for tumor resection, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty
• Neurology – Research and clinical drug trials, adjunct professors, specially trained neurologists and neurosurgeons. EEG (Electroencephalography), EMG (Electromyography), NCV (Nerve Conduction Velocity) and EPT (Evoked Potential Test)
• Interventional Neuroradiology – Angiography, aneurysm coiling treatment, angioplasty of cerebral arteries, carotid stenting. cerebral thrombectomy
• Neuroradiology Diagnostics – PET/CT Scan, MRI, MR Angiography, CT, CT angiography, carotid ultrasound, transcranial doppler
• Support Groups and screenings
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Neurological Institute
• Telemedicine

Broward Health North Neurological Institute: Technology with a Human Touch

The Neurological Institute is a specialized "outpatient" services facility specifically geared toward treating patients with:

• Memory disorders (954-786-7392)
• Alzheimer's disease (954-786-7392)
• Sleep disorders (954-786-7394)
• Stroke (954-786-7333)
• Cerebrovascular Center  (954-786-5151)
• Other neurological conditions (954-786-6700)

The Neurological Institute provides patients with personalized plans of treatment to meet their needs. Since neurological disorders affect the entire family, the Institute also has programs designed to assist family members and caregivers in providing quality care.

Comprehensive Services Provided

• Intensive care staff (nationally certified in neurology nursing)
• Neurodiagnostic laboratory

• Research in neurological drug trials
• Neurosurgery
• Rehabilitation services
• Outpatient specialty centers

  Neurodiagnostic Lab

  This advanced diagnostic area is used to determine the cause of neurological problems and to evaluate the patient's recovery.

  Diagnostic Procedures include:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) measures brain waves
• Electromyography detects neuromuscular and nerve disease
• Evoked Potential Test assesses the brain sensory, optic and auditory systems
• Nerve Conduction Velocity detects nerve damage such as carpal tunnel and neuropathy

All diagnostic procedures must be ordered by a physician.

Please call 954-786-7395 for more information.

Our specialized “outpatient” services are specifically geared toward treating patients with:

• Memory Disorders
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Sleep Diagnostic Center
• Comprehensive Stroke Program
• Cerebrovascular Center
• Neurodiagnostics
• Other Neurological Conditions

Memory Disorder Center

The Memory Disorder Center at Broward Health North is an outpatient diagnostic facility offering a multidisciplinary approach to determine the cause of memory impairment. This center is one of fifteen designated and funded by the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs as a part of the ADI program. Our team of specialists including neurologists, neuropsychologists, geriatric psychiatrist, social workers and nurses, provide a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. Upon the completion of the diagnostic process, the patient and their caregivers meet with the neurologist and members of the multidisciplinary team to discuss diagnosis, planning for the future and available resources. 

Memory loss can have many causes including thyroid imbalance, Alzheimer's disease, nutritional or metabolic disorders, stroke, or other neurological conditions.

When a patient is diagnosed with a memory disorder, such as Alzheimer's disease, every family member is affected, especially the caregiver. Through our unique programs, the Center offers a complete network of assistance for patients and caregivers.

Services Include:

• Counseling and education
• Support groups
• Community referrals
• Research
• Crisis Respite program - provides in-home care for your loved one on an emergency basis to relieve caregivers
• Driving evaluations (make live, content below)

Where to get started

If you have any questions about memory loss or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at 954-786-7392.   

Round-trip transportation to the Center is available upon request.

Safe Driver Assessment
People are often understandably proud of their past, safe driving record. But medical conditions can change everything. Even the best and most careful drivers can become unsafe to drive when their abilities are impaired by medical conditions. All too often, a medical condition can also affect insight and people are unaware of how dangerous their driving has become. Medically impaired drivers are a danger to themselves and others. It can be a difficult subject for family and friends to handle, that's when your physician can help to identify if a driving assessment is needed.

Who is the Safe Driver Assessment for?

People of all ages whose driving may be affected by a medical condition, medication or a natural decline that affects mental abilities should be assessed.

The comprehensive driving assessment evaluates visual acuity, visual tracking/scanning ability, physical function and the cognitive ability to drive safely. It is a two-part assessment that was scientifically developed through university research.

1. In-office assessment (computer skills are not necessary)

• a trained, certified professional guides the driver through the assessment
• touch screen/push button technology precisely measures the driver's responses
• specific tasks assess mental and motor skills require for safe driving
• successful performance requires the use of memory, judgment, decision making, attention and motor speed abilities

2. On-road evaluation

• the on-road evaluation is designed by experienced driving instructors to evaluate ability to drive safely
• participants must be a licensed driver and must present a valid driver's license

For more information, or to schedule an assessment, call 954-786-7392.

CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Caring for a loved one suffering from the effects of Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming. As the disease progresses, caregivers often struggle with the demands of care required by their loved one, as well as their own physical and emotional needs. With family members living longer, more adult children are assuming the responsibilities of caring for aging parents unable to function independently.

HELPING YOU THROUGH A DIFFICULT TIME

The Care Assistance Program (CAP) can help you deal with these special situations. Through education and training, caregivers have a better understanding of the disease process, and learn to accept the memory and cognitive losses resulting from disease progression.  Few other situations place more stress on a caregiver and family.  The Care Assistance Program (CAP) designed and facilitated by the Memory Disorder Center at Broward Health North, provides you with tools to help you care for yourself and your loved one. We want to make your caregiving experience easier and more rewarding.

HELPING YOU COPE

When Alzheimer’s strikes, the whole family is impacted. Providing long-term care for loved ones requires emotional support, as well as skills to help you provide appropriate care. Statistics report that caregivers will predecease their loved one if they do not learn to take care of themselves and reach out for help. CAP was developed to give caregivers a better understanding of the aging brain and the changes that occur when memory begins to fade. Program speakers discuss the disease process, behavior strategies, stress management, legal issues, medications, day care, home health, placement options, Medicaid and veteran’s benefits. Opportunities to interact with others facing similar challenges can help reduce your stress and help you discover ways to cope with the lifestyle changes that come with being a caregiver. Through various community resources, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with families going through similar experiences. After participating in the initial CAP course, weekly support groups are available to offer additional guidance, friendship and understanding. The Memory Disorder Center offers two CAP programs to meet the specific needs of caregivers. There is no charge for individuals to participate in these programs, and in-home respite as well as transportation is available at no charge.

CONTINUING SUPPORT

DayCAP - a program for spouses, siblings, other relatives and friends providing care to a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementia. Classes are held as scheduled, Monday - Thursday from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.

NightCAP - a program for adult children caregivers providing care to a parent or loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementia. Classes are scheduled to meet the needs of the working caregiver and are held as scheduled, twice a week over a two week period, from 6:00 am - 9:00 pm.

For class schedule & registration call 954-786-7392

WHERE TO CALL

To register for one of Broward Health North’s Care Assistance Programs, or for additional information, please call the Memory Disorder Center at 954-786-7392. At Broward Health North, we understand the unique demands of caring for a loved one 24 hours a day. Together, we can make a difference.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Spouses and children of those with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia

Tuesdays 10:30 am – 12:00 noon • Neuro Resource Center

Adult children of those with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia

Second and Fourth Tuesday of the month

6-8pm • Neuro Resource Center

Get Help...Sleep Soundly!

The Sleep Disorders Center at Broward Health North offers diagnosis and treatment for more than 80 different sleep disorders. The Center is comprised of physicians who are board certified in sleep medicine and pulmonary medicine, and staff who have specialized in sleep disorders.

Sleep disorders can be caused by many different reasons, including breathing problems, neurological problems or insomnia. The Sleep Disorders Center is one of the most comprehensive facilities in the area and provides evaluations, diagnostics testing and treatment for all causes.

Polysomnography, or sleep study monitoring, records various physiological responses during sleep, such as brain activity, muscle movements, eye movements, breathing ability, cardiac monitoring and oxygen levels in the blood.

Once the diagnosis is made, the Center provides a full range of treatment options. If a patient is diagnosed with sleep apnea and requires continuous positive airway pressure or bi-level airway pressure, free training and support is available through the Sleep Disorder Center.

For more information, please call 954-786-7394.

Stroke Center

Broward Health North's Stroke Center is an attested Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Agency for Healthcare Administration and is recognized as a certified Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

The Joint Commission is the nation's predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. This designation offers the public a way to identify which hospitals offer the best possible outcomes for stroke patients.

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recognizes this BHN for achieving 85% or higher compliance with all Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Achievement Measures and 75% or higher compliance with five or more Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Quality Measures for two or more consecutive years.

At Broward Health North, assessment and treatment begin in the Emergency Department by a specially trained team called the Brain Attack Team (BAT). The BAT is available 24/7 and consists of Emergency Medical Services (EMS and paramedics), emergency medicine physicians, neurologists, neurointerventionalist, neurosurgeons, interventional radiologists, radiologists and nursing staff. Sixteen nurses at Broward Health North have gone above and beyond to obtain the prestigious Certified Neurological Registered Nurse and Stroke Certified Registered Nurse Specialty designations. They are fully prepared to help you and your loved one through this delicate time. Our designated Stroke Unit is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure your loved one receives the best possible care.

If you require rehabilitation after your stroke, Broward Health North’s Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation Unit is here to keep you on a path to recovery. Our rehabilitation unit is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and is the first hospital in Florida to attain Joint Commission Certification for Stroke Rehabilitation.

Excellence in Spine Surgery

There may come a time when back or neck pain reduces the quality of your life. Everyday activities such as walking, shopping, or housework can become difficult or unbearable as conservative measures like diet, exercise, physical therapy and medications no longer provide relief or alleviate your pain. If this is you, it may be time to consider spine surgery.

Broward Health North offers several specialized procedures as part of a comprehensive program featuring an interdisciplinary team approach and pre-operative and post-operative patient education:

• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
• Lumbar fusion
• Lumbar laminectomy
• Lumbar microdiscectomy 

Broward Health North' Spine Program is the first and only Joint Commission Certified program in south Florida. The Spine Care Center features a team of expert surgeons, nurses, therapists, pain management specialists, and technicians specially trained to provide comprehensive clinical care for patients undergoing back and neck surgery. 

Dedicated Place, Dedicated People

Our team of experts, including surgeons, nurses, therapists, pain management specialists, and technicians, work closely with you in a structured recovery program, including pre-operative and post-operative patient and family education, a patient guidebook outlining what to expect each step of the way and daily newsletters while in the hospital. Family members, referred to as “coaches,” are encouraged to participate with the recovery process, learning about special exercises, medications and follow-up care.

We believe the key to better outcomes is a commitment to superior education for you and your family. Our comprehensive approach includes:

• Engaging Community outreach seminars
• An informative pre-op orientation for patients and family
• A Patient Guidebook
• Daily newsletters while in the hospital
• Educational wall displays answering the most frequently asked questions

Our Commitment to Excellence

We know you have a choice of where to go for your procedure. Our goal is to ensure that your stay with us is as pleasant and comfortable as possible. We are continuously evaluating and measuring our performance to ensure we provide the highest quality program possible, tailored to each and every patient. Our team meets regularly with a focus on maintaining clinical and service excellence in all aspects of your spine surgery experience.

Broward Health North offers continued specialized care through our Outpatient Rehabilitation Department should you need it. Please speak with your physician to obtain a prescription.