Stroke Emergency Care

Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability.   When symptoms suggest stroke, White Plains Hospital Center's multidisciplinary Stroke Team is ready. Led by a neurologist, the team provides the quickest response possible in stroke emergency care.

The Ruth & Jerome A. Siegel Regional Stroke Center at White Plains Hospital Center has been designated as a Regional Stroke Center by the New York State Department of Health, a distinction that demonstrates our ability to diagnose and treat strokes using a highly specialized medical stroke team. We were the first hospital in Westchester County to receive this prestigious designation given to a select number of stroke centers.

White Plains Hospital Center is also the first facility in Westchester County to receive the Gold (Sustained Performance) Achievement Award from the American Stroke Association under its "Get With The Guidelines" performance improvement program. This award recognizes the Hospital's commitment to, and success in implementing, a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards for hospitals and stroke centers.

The Stroke Center Team

When a patient in the Emergency Department or an inpatient care unit presents with stroke symptoms, the Hospital's "Code Gray" (stroke emergency) team is paged. A neurologist examines the patient with the help of advanced imaging technologies in the Radiology Department, which is open around-the-clock. The team also determines whether the patient is a candidate for Tissue Plasminogen Activator (t-PA), a medication that can minimize or even reverse the damage caused by the stroke if administered within three hours of the onset of symptoms.

Patients who require continued stroke emergency care and monitoring may be admitted to a critical care unit. Stabilized patients are monitored in the inpatient Stroke Unit, under the care of nurses with specialized training in stroke.

The Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department administers stroke therapy services such as physical and occupational therapy, stroke support groups, and speech and swallowing rehabilitation services. Social Work staff assure that an appropriate discharge plan is in place for patients ready to go home. 

Support and education for stroke survivors, their families and caregivers continues after discharge from the Hospital.  Monthly Stroke Support Group meetings provide ongoing presentations and discussion. 

Know the Symptoms of Stroke

Following are the signs of a stroke.  Be aware of these warning signs and call 911 if you or someone with you experiences one or more of them.

•  Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
•  Sudden confusion or trouble speaking, or understanding speech
•  Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
•  Sudden trouble walking; dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
•  Sudden severe headache with no known cause

 Rapid stroke emergency care within three hours of symptom onset is vital to reducing the risk of permanent disabilities so you should not hesitate to call your local rescue squad when the symptoms occur.