Stroke Center
Holy Name Medical Center, licensed by the State of New Jersey as a Primary Stroke Center, was one of the first Medical Centers in New Jersey to earn Primary Stroke Center designation by The Joint Commission, the nation's leading healthcare evaluation and accreditation organization. With a Joint Commission designation, the Primary Stroke Center at Holy Name provides comprehensive services to stabilize the patient, lessen the effects of stroke, and maximize the patient's functioning and mobility in recovery.
- An acute stroke team available 24/7, which includes a physician experienced in diagnosing and treating cerebrovascular disease
- Written procedures that streamline and accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients
- Coordination of emergency medical service personnel with Stroke Center staff
- Emergency Care Center staff trained in identifying the signs of stroke, making a diagnosis and providing swift intervention
- A dedicated Stroke Unit for specialized inpatient care and monitoring
- Neurosurgical services, including on-site neuroimaging and laboratory
- Rehabilitation services for physical, occupational and speech therapies
- An outcomes and quality improvement program
- Continuing education of the Stroke Center's professional staff
When a patient arrives at Holy Name's Emergency Care Center with stroke symptoms, board-certified emergency medicine physicians and nurses certified in emergency care take the following steps:
- Evaluate, assess and monitor the patient immediately
- Immediately administer a standard diagnostic protocol of tests (including blood work, CT scan and blood pressure reading)
- Administer TPA, a "clot-busting" medication, if appropriate (i.e., the patient is within a 4½ hour window of symptom onset)
- Begin administration of other medications, as determined by the emergency medicine physicians
- Patient is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit or Holy Name's designated Stroke Unit, where board-certified neurologists and specially-trained and certified nurses continue their medical care.
- If prescribed by the physician, patients are evaluated for physical, occupational, speech and/or swallowing therapy.
Upon discharge from the inpatient Stroke Unit, home care services are available to provide a smooth transition to recovery.
