When St. Francis Medical Center launched a program to reduce stroke in the community, we invested a lot of time, effort and resources to make it the best program possible. Our efforts have paid off: Our stroke program has received high honors from the Joint Commission, the State of New Jersey, and most recently, the American Stroke Association.

The American Stroke Association awarded St. Francis its Get With The GuidelinesSM Bronze Performance Achievement Award for consistently meeting nationally recognized treatment guidelines for stroke and emphasizing the importance of prompt, comprehensive care.

“With a stroke, time lost is brain lost and this award addresses the important element of time,” says Jerry Jablonowski, President and CEO. St. Francis has a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.

“Our stroke team is available 24-7, which is so important because every second counts during a stroke,” says Kathleen Messineo, RN, BSN, CCRN. “The sooner a stroke patient is treated, the more likely he or she is to have a complete recovery.”

At St. Francis, a neurologist is available to conduct an evaluation soon after a stroke patient arrives. The department is also equipped to provide brain imaging scans and administer clot-busting medications when appropriate. St. Francis also received the “Gold Seal of Approval” for its stroke program from the Joint Commission in 2006. The center received state approval as a designated Primary Stroke Center in 2007.