Hackettstown Regional Medical Center's Primary Stroke Center has earned the Get With The Guidelines Silver Performance Award from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. HRMC is also designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission, having earned the Gold Seal of Approval in 2009.

HRMC's Stroke coordinator Karen Young, RN, emphasizes, "Stroke is one of the most preventable of all life-threatening health problems, provided that you pay proper attention to lifestyle and medical risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Furthermore, treatment exists to help minimize the effects of a stroke; however, it must be given within 3 hours of the first symptom. It is important to recognize the symptoms of stroke and seek emergency medical attention. Recognizing stroke symptoms can be easy if you learn to act F.A.S.T. After the initial assessment, the patient will receive ongoing follow-up care by one of HRMC's on-staff consultant neurologists."

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines program recognizes hospitals for aexcellence in improving quality of patient care and outcomes. Hospitals receiving Get With The Guidelines Silver Performance Award have reached an aggressive goal of treating stroke patients with 85% or higher compliance to core standard levels of care as outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for 12 consecutive months. From an initial clinical assessment to our new Teleneurology (which allows HRMC emergency physicians and nurses to consult with an expert neurologist 24/7) HRMC uses the latest diagnostic technology and treatment options available.

For more information about HRMC's Stroke Program, please call Karen Young, RN at (908) 441-1127.