For Immediate Release
June 13, 2007
Contact: Donna Sellmann
(732) 530-2282
dsellmann@meridianhealth.com

RIVERVIEW NAMED PRIMARY STROKE CENTER FOR EXCEPTIONAL STROKE PROGRAM, SERVICES

Every Minute Counts During a Stroke

Red Bank, NJ - There is a three hour window where a stroke victim can get help and potentially reverse the effects of this brain attack. If administered the clot busting drug, t-PA, within this window of time, many individuals return to their normal lifestyle. For others who miss the window of opportunity, they may spend the rest of their lives with paralysis or other side effects of the stroke.

Riverview Medical Center is committed to providing the finest services in evaluation, treatment and recovery of a stroke. The medical center has been named a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission, a national organization that recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care and deliver critical elements that help patients achieve long-term success after a stroke. It also signals that the Primary Stroke Center's quality of care is effectively managed to meet the unique and specialized needs of stroke patients.

For Tim Howe of Lincroft, he understands better than most the benefits of getting prompt care for a stroke. Tim got into his car and found that he couldn't move his hand to put the key in the ignition. "It was like my hand told my brain, 'Who, me?'" he recalls. "It just lay there on the console holding the key. I remember thinking, 'This is weird,' and tried again. I knew what I wanted to do, but my arm was limp and just lay there." Tim was rushed to Riverview's emergency care center, evaluated and treated by the stroke team and given t-PA. He returned home from the hospital with full mobility and speech.

"We've created an Acute Stroke Team that is available to rapidly respond to, assess and treat stroke emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at Riverview," says Noah Gilson, M.D., medical director of the hospital's stroke program.

"Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke is essential," notes Rebecca Graboso, R.N., stroke program coordinator at Riverview. "In many cases, t-PA - also called a clot busting drug - can be given to dissolve the blood clots that are preventing blood from flowing to the brain. But time is critical, as it must be administered within a three-hour window."

Dr. Gilson recommends that everyone become familiar know how to identify a stroke. "You can't be too young or old to learn about stroke," suggests Dr. Gilson. "It could happen to a grandparent while a grandchild is visiting. It could happen while driving in a car with someone. Stroke can strike at any time." Stroke can also occur at any age; it is not something that affects only the elderly.

Remembering an easy acronym - FAST - can help to identify a stroke.

F - Face - Does the face look uneven?
A - Arm - Does one arm drift down?
S - Speech - Does the speech sound strange or slurred?
T - Time - Call 911 immediately. Don't delay.

In addition to having an expert stroke team on site at Riverview, the medical center is committed to educating the community about this critical topic. Dr. Gilson and Ms. Graboso are available to provide free community lectures, and can be arranged by calling the medical center's Public Relations office at (732) 530-2282.

Riverview Medical Center, a member of the Meridian Health Family, is a non-profit community hospital located in Red Bank, New Jersey, providing health care programs and services in all major medical disciplines, including maternity; oncology; orthopedics and rehabilitation; general, neuro, thoracic and vascular surgery; cardiology; renal dialysis; diabetes management; and emergency and critical care services. Riverview?s Booker Cancer Center is an affiliate of the renowned Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, and Riverview is home to the only fully accredited acute comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation center in Monmouth County. In addition, its Women Center and Childbirth Center specialize in the full spectrum of needs for the body, mind and spirit. For more information about Riverview Medical Center and Meridian Health, please call the Meridian Health Line at 1-800-560-9990 or visit www.riverviewmedicalcenter.com.

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