Stroke Center

Stroke Program

DNV-GL Certified Primary Stoke Logo

Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC) is a Primary Stroke Center which allows us to provide aggressive, proven treatment to minimize the effects of a stroke and prevent further brain damage.

Embracing the mission of “Enhancing Life,” Jersey City Medical Center continues to improve the quality of care provided to patients suffering from a stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA, often called a mini-stroke). Using a team approach, care is planned through the acute phase of a stroke while designing an individualized rehabilitation program.

Services We Provide

As a Primary Stroke Center, Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC) provides:

  • An acute stroke team available 24/7, which includes physicians experienced in diagnosing and treating strokes
  • Coordination of Emergency Medical Service personnel with our Emergency Room (Department) staff in pre-hospital notification of all patients with stroke-like symptoms
  • Emergency Room staff trained in identifying the signs of stroke, making a diagnosis and providing quick intervention
  • A dedicated Stroke Unit for specialized inpatient care and monitoring which assists in providing our patients with excellent stroke care
  • On-going continuing education for all stroke team staff members in care of the stroke patient
  • Health care professionals qualified to recognize and treat patients with stroke or stroke-like symptoms
  • Rehabilitation services for physical, occupational and speech therapies

Awards and Acceditations

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services: Primary Stroke Center Designation

This designation recognizes that Jersey City Medical Center is able to provide patients with a wide-range of comprehensive stroke services, including but not limited to: access to an acute stroke team; neurology and emergency department personnel trained in the diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke; neuro-imaging services capability; among others.

DNV GL - Healthcare: Primary Stroke Center Designation

We are proud to have been certified by DNV GL - Healthcare as a Primary Stroke Center, affirming the hospital’s readiness to handle a full range of stroke-related medical problems. The DNV GL - Healthcare Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association, and affirms that the medical center addresses the full spectrum of stroke care – diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education – and establishes clear metrics to evaluate outcomes.

American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award

Jersey City Medical Center has received the prestigious American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for the eighth consecutive year. The award recognizes the organization’s commitment and success in implementing excellent care for stroke patients, according to evidence based guidelines.

Stroke Prevention

CoupleAccording to the American Heart Association, stroke is one of the leading causes of death and serious, long-term disability in the United States. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Once a stroke has occurred, time is critical. Within minutes, brain tissue can be damaged and can lead to serious, long-term disability or death.

In an effort to prevent strokes from occurring, members of the Jersey City Medical Center's Stroke Department have gone out into the community offering stroke education programs that focus on stroke recognition and prevention.

In addition the Stroke Program Coordinator has teamed up with the Diabetic Educator to offer Diabetic and Cardiovascular teaching at the hospital during evening hours to local community members.

    Signs of a Stroke

    Healthcare providers recommend using the B.E. F.A.S.T. system to recognize the symptoms of a stroke either during or immediately after it occurs. B.E. F.A.S.T. is an acronym to help you remember the signs.

    BE FAST – know the symptoms of stroke

    • Balance - Have you lost your balance, felt a sudden headache or felt dizzy?
    • Eyes - Is your vision blurry?
    • Face - Are you feeling numbness, or seeing drooping, on one side of your face?
    • Arm - Do you have feeling in both arms? Can you raise them both up without one drifting down?
    • Speech - Are you slurring your speech? Can you form coherent sentences?
    • Time - If any of the above symptoms are occurring, call 911 immediately.