Stroke Services

Teleneurology:  Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States.  Thanks to sophisticated teleneurology technology at SOCH, emergency room physicians and board certified neurologists with advanced training in stroke diagnosis and treatment are at the ready, prepared to administer life-saving treatment, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  SOCH is the only hospital in Ocean County, and only the second in New Jersey to offer this teleneurology technology.

Teleneurology, is available thanks to a partnership with Specialist on Call, Inc., the only Joint Commission accredited telemedicine company.  The technology works through the use of two-way audio and visual communication to bring the expertise of neurologists across the country directly into the SOCH Emergency Department.

This technology saves precious minutes, resulting in faster treatment and minimizing the risk of disability and death from a stroke.

Working in partnership with the Emergency Department physicians, the neurologists can use the web-based audio and visual connection to assess the patient, consult with family members, view CT Scan results and recommend appropriate treatment. Depending on the severity of the stroke, patients are admitted to a specially designated stroke unit in the Hospital, or to the Critical Care Unit.  The neurologist remains available, via telemedicine, for 24 hours for consultation and follow-up. 

In addition to using teleneurology for patients who come to the Emergency Room, the technology is also be used by Hospitalist physicians who provide care for patients already in the hospital who may experience signs of a stroke.  In addition, as part of the comprehensive stroke program at SOCH, all of the nurses who are involved with the care of stroke patients have received specialized training developed by the National Institute of Health.

When someone has a stroke: During a stroke, the flow of blood to the brain is blocked. When the brain does not get the oxygen it needs, nerve cells in the brain begin to die within minutes, affecting a patient’s speech, movement and memory.  There are two types of stroke.

Ischemic Stroke:  The most common, an ischemic stroke, is caused by a clot that blocks the flow of blood in an artery that brings blood and oxygen to the brain.

Hemorrhagic: The less common, hemorrhagic stroke, happens when a blood vessel on the brain’s surface ruptures and bleeds into the space between the brain and the skull.

Stroke Treatment: Clot busting medication that is given within three hours after the initial onset of symptoms can greatly improve survival and recovery from an ischemic stroke.  That’s why it’s so important to recognize the warning signs and get to a hospital emergency room as soon as possible.

The warning signs of stroke include:

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

           
Risk factors for stroke include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beat)
• Poor diet
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• Family history of stroke     

Rehabilitation:  Rehabilitation following stroke is an important part of helping patients regain mobility and improve their quality of life.  Inpatient rehabilitation is available at SOCH’s Transitional Care Unit.  What’s more, care is provided in the home through Southern Ocean Home Health, and outpatient physical therapy is available at four convenient locations throughout southern Ocean County.

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