The TIA And Minor Stroke (TAMS) Unit operates 7 days a week for high-risk patients with Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or minor (non-disabling) stroke symptoms. A TIA is a temporary blockage of a blood vessel (an artery) that goes to the brain. When a blockage occurs, blood stops flowing to a part of the brain and a person will have symptoms of a stroke. If the body is able to open the blood vessel quickly enough so that blood flow restarts, the symptoms will go away after a few minutes or hours with no permanent damage. A TIA is a threat to a stroke and if proper medical and lifestyle changes are made, a major stroke can be prevented.
If you are seen in the emergency department for a suspected TIA or minor stroke, the emergency doctor may refer you to the TAMS Unit. We accept referrals from emergency departments at Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital and St. Joseph’s Health Centre.
Our model of care is a collaborative team approach among many health care practitioners. A detailed assessment is completed by a stroke nurse practitioner and patients will also be seen by a doctor that specializes in stroke care (stroke neurologist). During a TAMS Unit visit, to determine if you have had a TIA or stroke we will arrange a number of tests in order to avoid unnecessary admission to hospital. Patients may also be seen by the allied health care specialists.
In the TAMS Unit, we offer education about stroke and stroke prevention, including lifestyle changes and how to manage or treat stroke risk factors, such as high blood pressure. Our patients receive follow-up care through the TWH
Stroke Prevention Clinic when they need it.
Tests
Some of the following tests may be done during your TAMS Unit visit:
How to Prepare
Once a referral form has been sent by the emergency department doctor and is received by the TAMS Unit, a nurse practitioner will review the referral within 24 hours (including on weekends). If you meet the criteria for the TAMS Unit, we will contact you in the morning between 8:00 am - 8:30 am. You may be asked to come in for an appointment that same day or within a couple of days. In some cases, your referral may be more appropriate for the Stroke Prevention Clinic. If so, you would be contacted by the clinic staff within a few business days of your emergency department visit about that appointment.
A TAMS Unit visit is usually 3 to 6 hours long. Please be prepared to spend this time with us. This will allow us to do a full assessment, any required tests and start treatments for stroke prevention. We will also provide you with education about stroke prevention that is tailored to your health needs.
You may be asked not to eat or drink for 12 hours before your TAMS Unit visit if fasting blood work is needed. Blood tests are done soon after you arrive so if you have diabetes and need to eat regularly or need to take medication you can do this right after the blood tests.
Learn more about
what you can expect when you have a clinic appointment.
