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Stroke Services

Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, and Sisters of Charity Hospital have all been named Designated Stroke Centers by the New York State Department of Health, continuing the Catholic Health System’s efforts to create a network of Designated Stroke Centers among its hospitals.

The designations followed comprehensive application processes and rigorous on-site reviews to meet the State’s stringent patient guidelines for stroke care, including:

• Being seen by a physician within 15 minutes of arrival in the ER
• Receiving a CT scan within 25 minutes
• Interpretation of CT results and lab results in 45 minutes
• Receiving clot-busting drugs within 60 minutes of arrival or three hours of symptom onset

As part of their Stroke Center designations, CHS hospitals will work with local ambulance companies and area physicians to ensure the general public recognizes the warning signs of stroke and the importance of seeking immediate medical treatment. Stroke warning signs include:

• Sudden confusion
• Slurred speech or difficulty understanding
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache without cause

If you experience these symptoms, call 911 and go to your nearest stroke center.

By circling the region with high quality stroke services, CHS hopes to make a significant impact on one of the leading causes of death and disability in the area.