Joint Commission Certified Stroke Centers

At Ascension Saint Thomas, our stroke care teams, specially trained in the treatment of neurological disorders, are  available 24/7 to provide immediate, individualized stroke care. Ascension Saint Thomas Stroke Centers offer a multidisciplinary approach to meet the needs of each patient. In order to ensure the highest quality of patient care and recovery, our team provides support and education to both the patient and their family members. Following immediate care, our expert rehabilitation team delivers advanced stroke rehabilitation programs and therapies on an in-patient and out-patient basis.

If you think you are having a stroke, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Quality

Ascension Saint Thomas has three Joint Commissioned centers: Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West is a Joint Commission Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown  and Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital are both Certified Advanced Primary Stroke Centers. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

Certified Stroke Centers at  Ascension Saint Thomas 

Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown - Advanced Primary Stroke Center

• June 2019 - July 2020
• Thrombolytic treatment rate: 100% of eligible stroke patients receiving thrombolytic
• Thrombolytic treatment time: 67% eligible stroke patients receiving thrombolytic within 60 minutes

Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital - Advanced Primary Stroke Center

• June 2019 - July 2020
• Thrombolytic treatment rate: 100% of eligible stroke patients receiving thrombolytic
• Thrombolytic treatment time: 58% eligible stroke patients receiving thrombolytic within 60 minutes

Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West - Comprehensive Stroke Center

• June 2019 - July 2020
• Thrombolytic treatment rate: 100% of eligible stroke patients receiving thrombolytic   
• Thrombolytic treatment time: 89% eligible stroke patients receiving thrombolytic within 60 minutes; 81% receiving thrombolytic within 45 minutes
• Carotid Endarterectomy: 0% mortality rate
• Carotid Artery Stenting: 10.3% mortality rate

Treatment

Our stroke team at Ascension Saint Thomas has developed a system for rapid diagnosis and treatment for patients who have been admitted to the emergency department. State-of-the-art diagnostic equipment is available 24-7 to provide brain imaging scans that allow our staff of nationally recognized stroke specialists to run the highest level of patient evaluations and utilize clot-busting medications when appropriate.

At Ascension Saint Thomas , we offer a wide range of stroke treatment options. For ischemic stroke, this includes:

• Thrombolytic treatment
• Endovascular intervention including mechanical thrombectomy and carotid and cerebral artery interventions
• For hemorrhagic stroke (subarachnoid hemorrhage or intracranial hemorrhage), this includes both endovascular and open surgical aneurysm treatments and other operative interventions.
• When a stroke occurs, the Ascension Saint Thomas team is ready with expert care 24/7. Immediate, individualized care is the key to maximum recovery.

Stroke Care Team

Dr. Frank Lafranchise
Executive Medical Director Neurosciences

Amy Couvillion, RN, BSN
Director Neurosciences
615-222-7226

Sylvia McLaughlin, BSN, CNRN
Stroke Coordinator, Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital
Lead Stroke Coordinator - System
615-396-4758

Kimberly Dyer, BSN, RN, SCRN
Stroke Coordinator, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West
615-222-6701

Whitney Spencer, BSN, RN
Stroke Coordinator, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown
615-284-3918