Primary Stroke Center

Chilton Memorial Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center designated by the State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and certified by the Joint Commission. Primary Stroke Center status is given only to hospitals that meet strict state guidelines for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke. Primary Stroke Centers adhere to national standards for stroke care that improve outcomes for patients, and have acute stroke teams available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready to rapidly assess and treat patients.

If you or a loved one should suffer a stroke, award-winning stroke care is close to home. For the past three years, Chilton Memorial has received the Stroke Care Specialty Excellence Award from HealthGrades, a leading consumer health care ratings agency. The Hospital is recognized as being among the top 5 percent of hospitals in the nation for stroke care. It is also ranked one of the top five hospitals in New Jersey for stroke care. No other hospital in Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties currently holds all three of these designations.

The human brain is much like a computer. It has the ability to process and store information, but the tiniest glitch could cause a major malfunction. A stroke, or “brain attack,” happens when a blockage in blood flow to the brain causes it to lose control of particular body functions.

The biggest difference between a computer glitch and a stroke is the amount of time that is allowed between the event and treatment. After a computer locks up, it doesn’t matter when the technician arrives for repairs. With the brain, however, time is everything. If a person does not receive stroke treatment in time, it could result in loss of vision, limb function and even death. In other words, “time is tissue” when it comes to stroke.

There is a three-hour window in which a brain-saving medication called tPA can be given. This treatment is provided at Chilton Memorial Hospital. So, if you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke, call 911 immediately and request to be taken to the nearest Primary Stroke Center.

Testimonial

Louis Milone of Pompton Lakes suddenly realized he couldn't move his left side. Soon his words began to slur. His wife immediately called 911.

When the ambulance arrived, Christine Milone was asked by squad members where she wanted her husband to be taken.

"I told them Chilton, mostly because it was the closest hospital and we were scared, not knowing what was wrong with him," she said.

Luckily for Lou, Chilton is five-star rated for stroke care, the highest possible, for five years in a row according to HealthGrades, a national independent hospital ratings firm. In addition, Chilton is the best-rated stroke program in Morris County. Also, Chilton received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Silver Plus Performance Achievement Award.

At Chilton, Milone was quickly assessed by personnel trained in stroke care in the hospital's Emergency Department and given a clot-busting drug, commonly referred to as tPA, to help reverse the symptoms. Within three hours, he was able to lift his left arm and leg. Twenty-four hours later, he could get out of bed and even stand with assistance.

"I think the hospital we chose made the difference," said Milone, who is today about 90 percent recovered from his massive brain attack.