Comprehensive Stroke Care
The Penn Medicine Virtua Neurosciences Program brings the region’s foremost leader in neurologic treatment and research to South Jersey. Together with the specialists at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital—a New Jersey-designated Comprehensive Stroke Center—Penn Medicine’s neurovascular team uses state-of-the-art techniques to minimize stroke damage
The hospital’s hybrid operating room features advanced imaging equipment that allows our team to use microsurgery and other techniques to remove stroke-causing blood clots, stop bleeding in the brain, or open a blocked carotid artery. Our neurosurgeons are available 24/7 to rapidly diagnose and begin life-saving treatment—including conventional open surgery if necessary.
Recognizing that “time is brain,” we offer a mobile intensive care unit, nationally recognized emergency room teams, and a sophisticated teleneurology program to reduce the time between the start of a stroke and treatment.
Seriously ill patients receive dedicated care from Penn Medicine’s neurohospitalists. These inpatient physicians assist our critical care team by providing specialized neurologic care around the clock.
Getting You Back on Your Feet
When you’re ready to leave the hospital, our team helps determine where you should go to receive the right level of care. You might be able to go home and receive outpatient services, or you might benefit from more intensive rehabilitation.
The Virtua Acute Rehabilitation Center is the only comprehensive rehabilitation facility in South Jersey to be located within an acute care hospital. Patients enrolled in the program will receive at least three hours of rehabilitation each day to improve strength, endurance, and other skills. Patients also receive 24/7 medical care, including diagnostic testing, consultations by medical specialists, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as needed. Stroke support groups are also available.
Know the Signs of Stroke
Every second matters to beat the odds and increase your chances of successfully recovering after a stroke. Your ability to walk, talk, and even breathe can depend on the quality and speed of care you receive.
Know the FAST signs and symptoms of stroke:
- Face drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven or lopsided?
- Arm weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.
- Time to call 9-1-1 – If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and go to a hospital immediately.
Additional stroke symptoms include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Team Approach
The Penn Medicine Virtua Neurosciences Program’s highly experienced neurosurgeons, neurologists, radiologists, neurohospitalists, clinical and auxiliary staff work closely with you and your referring physician to deliver the expert treatment and follow-up you need. The neurosciences program at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital is recognized by the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association, and the State of New Jersey.
