Stroke Centers

Stroke is a medical emergency. If you or someone you are with is experiencing the symptoms of stroke, call 911 immediately. Do not wait.

What Is a Primary Stroke Center?

To be certified as a Primary Stroke Center, a hospital must meet the following criteria, according to the NJ Department of Health.

• Have a stroke team, which includes board-certified neurologists and radiologists

• Have neurology and Emergency Department personnel trained in diagnosing and treating stroke

• Offer neuroimaging services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as well as rehabilitation services

• Maintain transfer arrangements with a Comprehensive Stroke Center in NJ

• Track outcomes for stroke patients

• Educate the public about strokes

RWJBarnabas Health Primary Stroke Centers:

Clara Maass Medical Center
Community Medical Center
Jersey City Medical Center
Monmouth Medical Center
Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway

What Is a Comprehensive Stroke Center?

According to the NJ Department of Health, Comprehensive Stroke Centers provide the same services as Primary Stroke Centers, in addition to:

• A neurosurgical team capable of assessing and treating complex stroke and stroke-like syndromes

• Neuroimaging services with digital subtraction angiography and a special procedures suite equipped for neuro-interventional procedures that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

• Comprehensive rehabilitation services either on site or by transfer agreement with another health care facility

• The development of policies regarding ongoing evaluation and quality improvement activities by using data maintained by the center

RWJBarnabas Health Comprehensive Stroke Centers:

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Mobile stroke care

Time counts when dealing with a stroke, and care begins before the patient reaches the hospital. Through RWJBarnabas Health Mobile Health, patients are triaged and cared for in ambulances or the RWJBH LifeFlight Helicopter by a team of Medical Telecommunicators, Emergency Medical Technicians, Mobile Intensive Care Paramedics, Flight Paramedics, Critical Care Registered Nurses, and Flight Nurses while en route from a scene or from one hospital to another offering a higher level of care. This medical team implements evidence-based care to ensure lifesaving stroke treatment begins before the patient ever reaches the Stroke Center. These clinicians utilize screening examinations to determine whether the patient requires Primary or Comprehensive Stroke Center care. Additionally, the team uses biotelemetry to pre-notify the hospital so that treatment can be seamlessly continued once the unit arrives at the hospital – this swift action ensures lifesaving treatment begins quickly and helps to reduce the chance of permanent disability due to stroke.