Services & Specialty Centers

Stroke Center

In the event of a stroke, every second counts. That's why it's important to know that you can get the kind of care you need, right here in your community – at the dedicated Stroke Center in our Emergency Services Department.

South Nassau is not only Nassau County's first hospital designated as a Stroke Center by the New York State Department of Health, we have also received the Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center Certification, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award and the Target: Stroke Honor Roll. The award recognizes South Nassau's commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.

We have earned this designation because of our:

• Rapid assessment of patients with stroke symptoms
• On-site, new generation CT scanner
• Aggressive treatment, using to the most up-to-date clinical guidelines for stroke-guidelines shown to raise patient survival rates and lower their risk of reoccurrence for stoke
• Comprehensive neurological and neurosurgical care throughout hospitalization
• Nurses with special training in stroke care
• Stroke support group
• Community education

Memorize and recognize the symptoms of Stroke!

Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, either by a clot causing a blockage (ischemic stroke) or a burst blood vessel in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). The major symptoms of stroke typically occur suddenly and without warning. Commit the most common symptoms of stroke to memory using the acronym FAST:

    F = Face: Is one side of the face drooping down?
    A = Arm: Can the person raise both arms, or is one arm weak?
    S = Speech: Is the person’s speech slurred or confusing?
    T = Time: Time is critical!! Call 9-1-1 immediately!

These symptoms can be accompanied by headaches; sudden vision problems; confusion or loss of memory; changes in alertness, hearing and taste; numbness or tingling on one side of the body; and difficulty reading or writing. Other less common symptoms of stroke are sudden dizziness and generalized weakness. If you or someone you are with is experiencing some or any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately, and remember that South Nassau’s award-winning, dedicated Stroke Center is there to offer the gold standard of stroke care.

Click the link for a list of our upcoming Community Education programs.