An ischemic stroke, sometimes referred to as a cerebral vascular accident or CVA, occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel that brings oxygen and nutrients to the brain. As a result, part of the brain is without the blood and oxygen it needs. The nerve cells in the affected area of the brain die within minutes.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of permanent disability.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of a stroke should immediately call 911 immediately. Many treatments can only be given in the first three hours after stroke symptoms begin. It's critical to seek immediately medical care. 

How is Spectrum Health performing on stroke care?

The Joint Commission, which recognizes demonstrated national excellence in stroke care, certified Butterworth and Blodgett hospitals in October 2004, making Spectrum Health one of the first in Michigan and among the first 50 health care organizations in the country to receive this designation. Our Stroke Response Team and dedicated stroke experts provide the area's highest level of comprehensive care that can improve chances of survival and result in better outcomes.

Learn more about our fast and effective advanced stroke treatment at our two nationally certified primary stroke centers located at Butterworth and Blodgett hospitals.

What do the stroke quality report cards show?

Patients who received tissue plasminogen activator, a clot busting medication

The following chart shows the percentage of eligible stroke patients who received a clot dissolving medication called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) if they came to the emergency department within three hours of their stroke symptom onset. Higher percentages are better.

Why does this matter? The first three hours after a stroke occurs are the most important in terms of immediately seeking medical care. Patients who come to the emergency department within three hours of their stroke symptom onset may be eligible to receive tPA, a clot dissolving medication. This is the most important indicator for stroke survival for eligible stroke patients.

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Patients received antiplatelet medication to keep new clots from forming

The following chart shows the percentage of stroke patients who were prescribed aspirin or another antiplatelet medication at discharge from the hospital. Higher percentages are better.

Why does this matter? To reduce mortality and morbidity, aspirin or another antiplatelet medication should be prescribed to patients when they are discharged from a hospital after acute ischemic stroke.

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Additional quality reports regarding the standard of our stroke care are available from The Joint Commission. 

Quality Report Card Data Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide timely and accurate data for your consideration. It is possible that The Joint Commission Core Measures values gathered from other public sources are constructed with a different time frame.