Medical Services • Stroke

NCH is one of only two Northwest Suburb hospitals certified to perform groundbreaking stroke interventions

If you or someone you know experiences any stroke symptoms, call 911 and ask to be taken to a Primary Stroke Center such as Northwest Community Hospital.

When you arrive at NCH with stroke symptoms or warning signs of a stroke, the following neurointerventional procedures will be provided to you if appropriate:

• Within the first 4.5 hours: An injection of IV tPA medication—a tissue plasminogen activator—is given to break up the clot that caused the stroke.
• Up to eight hours after stroke: Advanced neurointerventional techniques are used to locate, dissolve or remove the clot.

These interventions can significantly diminish or reverse the effects of a stroke and prevent long-term disability.

360 degrees of care, close to home

Every patient at the Primary Stroke Center is completely covered by our Stroke Team’s ability to manage all aspects of stroke symptoms, stroke complications and related issues.

• Emergency physicians
• Advanced practice nurses
• Certified stroke neurologists
• Neurosurgery and neurointerventional surgery specialists
• Neurointensive care unit
• Experienced critical care team
• Magnet®-level nursing staff
• Physical therapists
• Speech/occupational therapists

At the same time, we know that access to family and friends is important to your well-being. If NCH is not your regular hospital, we will treat you for your stroke symptoms—and when you are stable, send you back to your local hospital for rehabilitation. Our multidisciplinary Stroke Team will then work with your primary care physician to establish the best care plan for the future.

Nationally recognized for excellence in stroke care

• Primary Stroke Center—designated by The Joint Commission
• Gold Plus Performance Award—American Heart Association/American Stroke Association “Get with the Guidelines—Stroke” Program
• Magnet® Recognition for Nursing Excellence—only 6% of healthcare organizations earn Magnet status
• Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence

For emergency or urgent intra-hospital transfers, please call our 24-hour Stroke Hotline at 847.618.8888.

To get a physician referral for your neurological care, call HealthConnection at 847.618.4YOU (4968) or view our multidisciplinary team of stroke specialists.