providers looking at MRI image on computer

Joint Commission Certified Stroke Centers

Ascension Saint Thomas has three Joint Commission Certified Stroke Centers. When a stroke occurs, our care teams are ready with 24/7, expert care.

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 2024 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 2024 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines:

    • Get With The Guidelines Stroke GOLD PLUS
    • Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll
    • Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

    Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center certified by The Joint Commission

    Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital - West

    Awarded the 2024 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines:

    • Get With The Guideline Stroke GOLD PLUS
    • Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll
    • Target: Stroke Advanced Therapy Honor Roll

    • Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

     

       

    Thrombolytics: Stroke data report

    August 2023 - July 2024

    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

    94%

    97%

    91.5%

    94%

    Arrival to IV Thrombolytic administration in < 45 minutes

    89.5%

    91%

    80.1%

    82.5%

    Arrival to IV Thrombolytic administration in < 30 minutes

    52%

     43%

    33.9%

    50.7%

    Median IV Thrombolytic administration time

    38

    39

    41

    40

     

    Thrombectomy: Stroke data report

    August 2023 - July 2024

    Data obtained from AHA GWTG


    How do we compare:

    Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital - West

    Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford (EVT services began April 2022)

    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

    53%

    40%

    25%

    49%

    Door to puncture within 90 minutes

    80%

    72%

    69%

    72%

    Median door to start of Revascularization

    77

     96

    111

    91

    Complete filling of the vascular territory beyond the occlusion (CSTK-08)

    91%

     81%

    86%

    88%

     

    Stroke data report

    August 2023 - July 2024


    Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital - West

     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.



    0%

     

          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.



    1.7%

     

    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

    Raeanna Monte, MSN, RN
    Neuroendovascular, RN Patient Navigator
    615-222-5009