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.
Advanced Primary Stroke Centers certified by The Joint Commission
Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital - Midtown
Awarded the 2025 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines:
- Get With The Guidelines Stroke GOLD PLUS
- Target: Stroke Honor Roll
- Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center by The Joint Commission
Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford
Awarded the 2025 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines:
- Get With The Guidelines Stroke GOLD PLUS
- Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite with Advanced Therapy
- Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center certified by The Joint Commission
Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital - West
Awarded the 2025 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines:
- Get With The Guideline Stroke GOLD PLUS
-
Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus with Advanced Therapy
-
Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
|
Thrombolytics: Stroke data report September 2024 - August 2025 Data obtained from AHA GWTG |
||||
|
How do we compare: |
||||
|
Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West |
Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford |
Middle Tennessee Region |
All Comprehensive and Thrombectomy Capable Centers in the United States |
|
|
Arrival to IV Thrombolytic administration in < 60 minutes |
97.3% |
88% |
89.3% |
95% |
|
Arrival to IV Thrombolytic administration in < 45 minutes |
84% |
71% |
78% |
84% |
|
Arrival to IV Thrombolytic administration in < 30 minutes |
36% |
33% |
34% |
52% |
|
Median IV Thrombolytic administration time |
38 |
40 |
38 |
36 |
|
Thrombectomy: Stroke data report September 2024 -August 2025 Data obtained from AHA GWTG |
||||
|
How do we compare: |
||||
|
Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West |
Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford |
Middle Tennessee Region |
All Comprehensive and Thrombectomy Capable Centers in the United States |
|
|
Arrival to start of device within 60 minutes for patients transferred from outside hospitals or within 90 minutes for patients presenting directly |
57% |
53% |
37% |
53% |
|
Door to puncture within 90 minutes |
85% |
72% |
74% |
73% |
|
Median door to start of Revascularization |
74 |
88 |
98 |
90 |
|
Complete filling of the vascular territory beyond the occlusion (CSTK-08) |
95% |
84% |
91% |
89% |
|
Stroke data report September 2024 - August 2025 |
|||
|
Ascension Saint Thomas |
Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford |
The Joint Commission Standard |
|
|
Cerebral Arteriogram Stroke and Death rate This procedure uses a catheter, x-ray imaging and contrast material to examine blood vessels in the brain. It is used commonly to identify the presence of aneurysms and atherosclerosis (plaque). |
0% |
0% |
24-hour post-procedure stroke and death rate of less than or equal to 1% |
|
Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomies and Carotid Artery Stenting “Symptomatic” means the person has had a stroke within the previous 180 days. |
1.2% |
N/A |
30-day stroke and death rate of less than 6% |
|
Asymptomatic Carotid Endarterectomies and Carotid Artery Stenting “Asymptomatic means the person has not had a stroke within the previous 180 days. |
0% |
N/A |
30-day stroke and death rate of less than 3% |
|
Carotid Endarterectomy Surgery to increase blood flow to the brain through the carotid arteries by removing plaque or other narrowing material Carotid Artery Stenting Surgical procedure that can be used to open a narrowed carotid artery by inserting a small expandable tube that allows more blood to flow to the brain. This is also called angioplasty and stenting |
|||
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
Lead Stroke Coordinator - System
615-396-4758
Leah Phillips, MSN, RN
Stroke Coordinator, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West
615-222-6701
Whitney Spencer, BSN, RN
Stroke Coordinator, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown
615-284-3918
Ian Mansfield BSN, RN
Neuroendovascular, RN Patient Navigator
615-222-5009