Minutes matter when it comes to getting stroke treatment, which is why it is critical to have high-quality stroke care close to home.

  • Emerson has earned advanced stroke certification by The Joint Commission in collaboration with the American Heart Association. The Joint Commission is the nation’s largest standards-setting accrediting organization in healthcare.
  • You will be glad to know that Emerson Hospital is designated a Primary Stroke Service by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, which recognizes that our staff is equipped to diagnose and treat stroke upon arrival in the emergency department.
  • Emerson also has been honored by the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association for its excellence in treating stroke patients. We earned their Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and were named to the Target: Stroke Honor Roll.

These awards recognize Emerson’s commitment to providing the most appropriate stroke treatment to patients based on the latest scientific evidence.

 

Why fast stroke treatment is so important

Time to treatment is the most important factor in decreasing the amount of brain damage of any stroke. If you suspect a stroke, call 911 immediately.

Signs of stroke include:


Stroke BEFAST
 


For ischemic stroke (caused by a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the brain — the cause of 87 percent of strokes), clot-busting medication known as tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, can open the blood the vessel and restore blood flow. 

This is the only drug approved by the FDA to treat ischemic stroke, but it must be given intravenously in the first three hours of the onset of stroke symptoms in order to reduce the effects of stroke and lessen the chance of permanent disability.

Emerson’s stroke team stands ready, 24/7, to provide timely evaluation and stroke treatment.
 
 

Complete diagnostic capabilities

Emerson Hospital has the full range of diagnostic technology on site, including CT and MRI imaging, along with complete lab services, in order to diagnose stroke quickly and accurately.

Personalized neurological rehabilitation

With Emerson’s specialized neurological rehabilitation program, our skilled physical, occupational and speech-language therapists help individuals who have had a stroke return to their highest level of function and independence, improving their overall quality of life. Rehab is tailored to each patient’s unique needs and goals.

When Seconds Matter: Life-Saving Stroke Care

Read Martha's Story

When experiencing the symptoms of a stroke, quick medical attention is crucial to achieving the best possible outcome. Here is one woman’s story of how the team at Emerson helped her return to a normal life after a stroke.