Stroke

Comprehensive Stroke Center in Santa Clara County

As a Comprehensive Stroke Center accredited by The Joint Commission, we are committed to excellence in stroke care. We offer 24/7 emergency care for patients experiencing stroke symptoms. Good Samaritan Hospital also offers comprehensive stroke recovery resources, including inpatient rehabilitation and support groups.

If you or a loved one are experiencing stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Recognition

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Good Samaritan Hospital is a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. We are also recognized by the American Heart Association as a Get With The Guidelines - Stroke program.

Stroke symptoms

During a stroke, a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is blocked by a clot. This causes brain cells to die because the brain cannot get the oxygen it needs. When this happens, it's crucial to seek emergency care as soon as possible.

If you or a loved one is experiencing stroke symptoms, remember to act F.A.S.T.

F(ace): Is one side of the face drooping?

A(rms): When both arms are raised, does one arm drift downward?

S(peech): Is the person's speech slurred when they repeat a simple sentence?

T(ime): If any of these symptoms are present, call 911 immediately.

Advanced stroke treatment

Our emergency room (ER) is equipped to provide life-saving stroke treatment in critical times of need. As the South Bay’s leader in stroke care, we were the first community-based hospital in the county to administer clot-busting treatment, known as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), to dissolve blood clots and restore circulation to the brain.

Our expert stroke team is equipped to treat hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. A hemorrhagic stroke is characterized by bleeding in or around the brain. During an ischemic stroke, a blockage cuts off the blood supply to the brain.

Treatments we offer include:

• Craniotomies
• Endovascular coiling
• Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)

We also have a specialized neurosurgical intensive care unit (NSICU) that delivers advanced treatment to individuals who have experienced a stroke.

Clinical trials

We conduct clinical trials for new and emerging stroke treatments. This gives our patients access to leading-edge neurological treatments they may not be able to receive at other hospitals.

Inpatient stroke rehabilitation program

Our inpatient rehabilitation unit at the Mission Oaks campus has the expertise to meet the rehabilitation needs unique to stroke survivors. We are proud to be recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for our stroke specialty program.

Specialists oversee patient care from the initial ER visit through stroke rehabilitation and discharge back home.

Patients participating in stroke rehabilitation may benefit from:

• Psychological and social coping and adaptation skills
• Home evaluation and recommendations for safety equipment
• Community integration
• Discharge planning and resources for families

Stroke support groups

Support groups can be a valuable resource for stroke recovery. Patients may participate in:

• Young Adult Stroke Survivor Group
  • Third Thursday of every month from 4:00pm to 5:00pm
  • Mission Oaks Campus, 1st Floor, Cafeteria
• Chi-Chat Aphasia Group
  • First Wednesday of every month at 3:00pm
  • Mission Oaks Campus, Cafeteria Conference Room

To learn more about our stroke support groups, call our outpatient rehabilitation department at (408) 559-2377.

For a full list of stroke support groups in the San Jose area, visit the American Stroke Association website.

Quality and Outcomes

The following are reported metrics for data collection period: 2019 and 2020.

Procedures

Quality process measures

IV Alteplase (tPA, tissue plasminogen activator) also known as the “Clot Buster” is an enzyme involved in the breakdown of blood clots. The American Heart Association goal for administration of tPA for ischemic strokes with in 60 minutes of arrival.

Discharge measure