Advanced stroke care in Nashville
At Ascension Saint Thomas, care teams in our emergency rooms and stroke centers help identify early signs of stroke and provide immediate care. Signs of a stroke include sudden loss of balance, lost or unclear vision, face drooping or uneven smile, arm weakness and speech difficulty. Stroke care teams provide 24/7 emergency stroke care and deliver treatments to help prevent long-term damage to your brain and body. Using advanced imaging and treatments, our care team helps to quickly identify stroke, improve blood flow to the brain, minimize brain damage, and help prevent future strokes.
If you or a loved one are experiencing warning signs of a stroke — sudden loss of balance, lost or unclear vision, face drooping or uneven smile, arm weakness and speech difficulty — every second counts. Call 911 and go to the nearest ER.
- Are you over 65?
- Do you have a family history of stroke?
- Do you smoke?
- Have you had a prior stroke or heart attack?
- Do you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, peripheral artery disease, AFib, heart valve disease or sickle cell anemia?
Comprehensive Stroke Center
Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West is a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission*, a national healthcare accreditation organization. Comprehensive Stroke Centers deliver advanced stroke care for even the most complex cases. This highly specialized stroke care helps support better outcomes at a time when you need it most.
Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West
Advanced Primary Stroke Centers
In addition to our Comprehensive Stroke Center, we also have two hospitals designated as Advanced Primary Stroke Centers by The Joint Commission. This certification means our care teams provide advanced stroke care that meets the specialized needs of stroke patients. Our Primary Stroke Centers include:
Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford
Our neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neuro-intensivists and rehabilitation specialists work together to deliver personalized, multi-specialty care. Learn more about our certified stroke centers.
*The Joint Commission is an independent accrediting organization. This accrediting body sets standards in healthcare to improve healthcare quality and safety. This recognition reflects our experience and advanced care to help improve stroke recovery outcomes.
Telestroke network
Ascension Saint Thomas neurologists are dedicated to delivering advanced stroke care to those across Tennessee. Through our telestroke program, our neurologists work with doctors at rural locations across the state. Our stroke specialists provide remote examinations, recommend diagnostic tests and discuss treatment decisions with you and your care team.
This service is available 24/7, bringing a high level of care to those in rural areas that may not have a staff neurologist on call. This rapid access to a neurologist who specializes in stroke care helps save lives and minimize the physical damage caused by a stroke.
Stroke recovery and rehabilitation
Our neurologists and care teams at Ascension Saint Thomas specialize in stroke care and recovery. Your care team of doctors, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists work together to deliver the care that's right for you.
Your care doesn't stop when you leave the hospital. We connect you to transitional care to your home, a stroke rehabilitation center or a skilled nursing facility. Our goal is to improve your quality of life after a stroke.
Watch educational videos
Dr. Frank Lafranchise shares information on signs to look for when having a stroke, knowing your risk for stroke, and how to reduce stroke risk.