Stroke
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Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. The American Heart Association’s FAST campaign provides an easy to remember guide and plan of action for the most common symptoms of stroke.
F – Face drooping
A – Arm weakness - or sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
S – Speech difficulty – sudden confusion, trouble speaking and understanding speech.
T – Time to call 911 and note when the symptoms first appeared. Even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and report the suspicion of stroke so the patient may get help immediately.
In 2009, Saint Peter’s University Hospital was designated a primary stroke center by the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services. A primary stroke center is the first line of defense in diagnosing and treating stroke and preventing or minimizing permanent brain damage to the patient. To be designated a primary stroke center, a hospital must have, among other criteria, a specialized stroke team available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The facility must have computed tomography (CT) scanning or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capabilities and a laboratory equipped and available to perform testing 24/7. It must also have acute (sudden-onset) rehabilitation services and access to a neurosurgical team, and must have a transfer agreement with a comprehensive stroke center to provide long-term rehabilitation and neurosurgery, if not available at the facility.
Saint Peter’s University Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get with The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.
Saint Peter’s offers acute rehabilitation and neurosurgery, and has transfer agreements for long-term rehabilitation and certain highly complex interventions. In addition, Saint Peter’s has also established a six-bed designated stroke unit where patients are fully monitored and staffed — including nurses, nurses’ aides and patient care technicians — and trained in treating stroke.