RWJBarnabas Health Stroke Centers
Immediate Response, Comprehensive Care
At RWJBarnabas Health, we understand that every second counts when treating a stroke. That’s why our expert teams of stroke specialists are ready around the clock to deliver rapid, advanced care for complex stroke cases. As New Jersey's largest academic health care system, we ensure quick access to life-saving stroke treatments close to home.
Stroke can affect anyone, regardless of age, making quick and expert treatment essential. Our stroke centers manage thousands of cases annually, ensuring the highest chances of recovery and rehabilitation. We take pride in our New Jersey Department of Health designations as both Primary and Comprehensive Stroke Centers.
Comprehensive Stroke Centers
RWJBarnabas Health has two hospitals with Advanced Comprehensive Stroke
Center Program certifications from The Joint Commission, indicating that
they provide the highest level of care for patients with complex strokes.
These centers are equipped to handle the most complex stroke cases and
provide a wide range of services that surpass the capabilities of Primary
Stroke Centers.
A hospital certified as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center Program provides the same services as Primary Stroke Centers, plus the following patient care and support services:
- Neurointerventional team and neurosurgical team capable of assessing and treating complex stroke and stroke-like syndromes
- Neuroimaging services, including digital subtraction angiography and a special procedures suite equipped for neuro-interventional procedures, are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Dedicated stroke units and neurocritical care unit staffed with specialty-trained providers and nurse
- Comprehensive rehabilitation services either on-site or by transfer agreement with another health care facility
- Policy development regarding ongoing evaluation and quality improvement activities using data maintained by the center
The designation of a hospital as a Comprehensive Stroke Center shows it equips itself to handle typical stroke patients and provide advanced care for complex cases, offering the full spectrum of stroke care from prevention to rehabilitation.
For the most complex cases, our advanced Comprehensive Stroke Centers offer specialized services, including neurosurgical interventions, dedicated intensive care units, advanced imaging capabilities, clinical research opportunities, and comprehensive rehabilitation programs. Our telestroke network connects these centers of excellence with other facilities across our system, extending their expertise to patients throughout New Jersey.
RWJBarnabas Health Comprehensive Stroke Centers
Primary Stroke Centers
A Primary Stroke Center is a health care facility with specialized resources and staff trained to diagnose and treat stroke patients. These centers follow specific guidelines and protocols for prompt and effective stroke care.
To be designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the NJ Department of Health and nationally certified as a Primary Stroke Center, a hospital provides the following patient care and support services:
- Specialized staff including an acute stroke team and board-certified neurologists and radiologists
- Neurology and Emergency Department personnel trained in diagnosing and treating acute stroke
- Neuro-imaging services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Acute care rehabilitation services
- Transfer arrangements with a Comprehensive Stroke Center in New Jersey facilitate the transfer of patients with complex strokes to that center for care when clinically warranted
- Stroke database or registry capable of tracking outcomes for quality improvement and evaluation
- Demonstrate a continuing commitment to ongoing education to the general public about stroke
The goal of a Primary Stroke Center is to reduce the time between a patient's arrival at the hospital and treatment, which is crucial for improving outcomes after a stroke. These centers are vital in providing accessible and high-quality care for stroke patients in their communities.
Our Primary Stroke Centers deliver essential stroke care services, including 24/7 emergency response, rapid diagnosis and treatment, expert neurological assessment, and initial rehabilitation services. Through our advanced telestroke technology, these centers can instantly connect with neurologists for real-time consultations, ensuring expert stroke care is available around the clock.
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
- Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Mobile Health Pre-Hospital Care for Stroke
At RWJBarnabas Health, we recognize that effective stroke treatment starts the moment an emergency occurs, not just upon hospital arrival. That's why we design our Mobile Health services to provide immediate, specialized stroke care during the critical pre-hospital phase.
Through our innovative mobile health units, including ambulances and the RWJBH LifeFlight Helicopter, patients receive rapid triage and treatment from our skilled team. This team comprises medical telecommunicators, emergency medical technicians, mobile intensive care paramedics, flight paramedics, critical care registered nurses, and flight nurses. They work together seamlessly to initiate life-saving stroke treatment while en route to our Stroke Center.
Our medical team utilizes advanced screening examinations to swiftly determine the appropriate level of care, whether it's at a Primary or Comprehensive Stroke Center. Leveraging biotelemetry technology, we ensure a pre-notification to the hospital, preparing the stroke team for immediate continuation of care upon the patient's arrival.
This integrated approach allows for a seamless transition of care, ensuring that life-saving treatments begin as quickly as possible. Such prompt action is crucial in reducing the risk of permanent disability from stroke. Our Mobile Health services embody RWJBarnabas Health's commitment to innovative and efficient stroke care, providing a higher level of medical response in the most crucial moments.
Specialized Stroke Centers in New Jersey
When a stroke occurs, having access to expert care can make all the difference. A "code stroke" is a hospital emergency protocol that prioritizes the care of a patient who may be experiencing a stroke. The goal of a code stroke is to detect and treat a stroke quickly to increase the patient's chances of recovery and reduce the risk of disability.
From rapid response protocols to advanced treatment options, specialized stroke centers provide the highest level of care. Every minute matters in stroke treatment.
At RWJBarnabas Health, our stroke centers maintain the highest standards of care, validated by the New Jersey Department of Health designations and national certifications.
Through our integrated network and telemedicine capabilities, we ensure patients receive the right level of care at the right time, combining sophisticated technology with expert specialists to deliver optimal outcomes.
Request an appointment to learn more about our Stroke Centers or for non-emergency care if you are concerned about your stroke risk.
