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.

Our stroke hospital

Features of our stroke center include:

• 24/7 operating room (OR) staffing and interventional care
• Advanced care that addresses acute and recovery stages of stroke
• Stroke experts and nurses certified by the National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Vascular neurologists and neurosurgeons onsite to treat complex stroke cases

In addition, we have consistently received recognition for stroke care excellence from the American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) program since 2005. This program keeps participating hospitals aligned with the latest scientific stroke guidelines and has proven to improve outcomes in stroke patients.

Education

Stroke Awareness Foundation (SAF)

Through the Stroke Fall Grant Program, Good Samaritan Hospital has partnered with the Stroke Awareness Foundation to expand their mission of community awareness and outreach for stroke prevention and to improve outcomes.  Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.  Community education remains a large focus for primary prevention.

For more stroke information below:

• English: stroke-signs.org
• Spanish-Español: lassenales.com
• Vietnamese-Quốc ngữ: stroke-vt.com
• Chinese-中文: stroke-ch.com
• Tagalog: strokesintomas.com
• Farsi-فارسی: stroke-fa.com

Secondary Prevention

Anticoagulation Compliance

Diet

Recognizing a stroke

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is cut off. When blood flow is cut off, brain cells begin to die. As brain cells die, functions and abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost. The longer the blood flow is cut off, the more serious the problems can become.

Signs of a stroke

To determine if someone may be having a stroke, B.E.F.A.S.T.:

• Balance: Is the person experiencing sudden loss of balance or dizziness?
• Eyes: Is the person experiencing sudden blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision?
• Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Can they repeat it correctly? Are their words slurred? Are they confused?
• Time: Call 911 immediately if the person displays any of these stroke warning signs.

Additional signs of a stroke may include:

• Dizziness
• Loss of vision or doubled vision
• Nausea or vomiting
• Severe headache
• Sudden loss of strength or sensation in the face, arm and/or leg

Stroke care team

As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive neurological care, we are equipped to quickly identify stroke symptoms and treat patients to reduce long-term effects. Our stroke care team includes:

• Neurointensivists
• Neurologists
• Neurosurgeons
• Neurointerventional radiologists
• Registered nurses

Stroke treatments we offer

Our emergency room (ER) is equipped to provide rapid stroke evaluation and treatment. Our advanced care and techniques allow us to extend the treatment window significantly by dissolving and extracting blood clots deep in the brain.

In addition, we have a neurological intensive care unit (neuro-ICU) staffed 24/7 by neurointensivists. This is where patients receive close monitoring and follow-up care after experiencing a stroke or other type of neurological condition.

Neurointerventional radiology procedures

Our neurointerventional radiologists perform minimally invasive procedures to treat stroke. Treatment options may include:

• Cerebral angiogram: Produces images of the inside of the blood vessels
• Cerebral stenting/balloon angioplasty: Reopens narrowed blood vessels
• Cerebral thrombectomy: Removes blood clots
• Intracranial angioplasty: Widening of blood vessels in the brain

Carotid artery procedures

The carotid arteries are located in the neck and bring oxygenated blood to the brain. These arteries may develop a build-up of cholesterol and calcium over time, resulting in the narrowing of the blood vessels and decreased blood flow. When left untreated, a blocked carotid artery can lead to a stroke.

Our stroke specialists may recommend one of the following procedures to open the carotid artery and restore normal blood flow to the brain:

• Carotid artery stenting: When a skinny mesh tube, or stent, is placed inside your carotid artery to open it up and increase blood flow.
• Carotid endarterectomy: When a surgeon removes the plaque clogging your carotid artery to help promote blood flow.

Aneurysm clipping and coiling

A cerebral aneurysm is a weak spot in an artery that bulges outward and fills with blood. The weakened artery has the potential to rupture, which can be life threatening. Clipping and coiling are two common procedures used to clot off an aneurysm, whether it has ruptured or not.

Stroke Data Outcome

The Stroke Center publicly reports outcomes related to interventional procedures, as determined by Good Samaritan Hospital.

Endovascular Recanalization for Acute Ischemic Stroke-FY2021-22

To find a specialist, please review our physicians listing or call (408) 559-2011.

Stroke rehabilitation

After a stroke, rehabilitation can play a critical role in recovery. Our neurological rehabilitation program is designed to help patients regain cognitive and physical abilities. Your stroke rehabilitation team may include:

• Neurorehabilitation physiatrists
• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Speech-language pathologists

For more information about our rehabilitation program, call (408) 358-5689.