When Every Second Counts
Dignity Health offers expert treatment for neurological conditions of the brain and nervous system. Our services include humankindness, always with the goal of healing.
For three years in a row, more than 95% of patients stated they would recommend Northridge Hospital for their stroke care needs. When every second counts, you can be assured that at Dignity Health - Northridge Hospital Medical Center, our experts focus on the rapid diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions. As a Los Angeles County Designated Comprehensive Stroke Center, our team is committed to improving stroke outcomes through a multifaceted approach of prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.
The Joint Commission has awarded an advanced stroke certification for Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Centers (TSC) to Northridge Hospital. This means that our Stroke Center has met the rigorous standards for performing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and post-procedure care.
Recent studies have shown the effectiveness of EVT procedures and the ability to perform EVT allows patients to get to the right location as soon as possible. Considered the Gold Seal of Approval™, this certification demonstrates our commitment to excellence in stroke care. Our community can be assured that the quality care we provide is effectively managed to meet the unique and specialized needs of stroke patients.
Northridge Hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. As a Thrombectomy-Capable stroke center, Northridge Hospital Medical Center reports outcomes related to interventional procedures. CPR 6 Dignity Health – Northridge Hospital Medical Center is committed to patient safety and wellness. To report concerns about safety and quality of care, please contact our Stroke Program Manager, at (855) 398- 9127. Please request extension 3748. Additionally, concerns can also be reported directly to The Joint Commission.
DSMP 3.6a: The Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center publicly reports outcomes related to interventional procedures, as determined by Northridge Hospital Medical Center.
Arrival to Treatment Time
For Calendar Year 2021
Target: Stroke has helped hospitals nationwide achieve improved stroke outcomes through reduced door-to-needle times for eligible ischemic stroke patients. With Target Stroke III this measure has changed. The “Get With The Guidelines” goal now is Arrival to Treatment within 30 mins in 50% of patients, within 45 mins in 75% of patients and within 60 mins in 85% of patients.
NHMC, 30 minutes: 44.1%, LA County, 30 minutes: 40.4%
NHMC, 45 minutes: 92.9%, LA County, 45 minutes: 73.2%
NHMC, 60 minutes: 97.9%, LA County, 60 minutes: 91.7%
Calendar year 2021
Percentage of patients diagnosed with Acute Ischemic Stroke that were treated with TNKase® (Tenecteplase). Tenecteplase is recommended by American Heart Association/American Stroke Association® (AHA/ASA) guidelines for treating patients with acute ischemic stroke (sudden stroke), which is caused by a blood clot in the brain’s blood vessels. Patients can receive Tenecteplase only if they begin treatment within 4.5 hours after their stroke symptoms start and only after bleeding in the brain has been ruled out.
88.4%
As compared to the Los Angeles County Hospitals treatment rate of 84.3%.
Calendar Year 2022, Third Quarter
Time Period
Northridge Hospital Medical Center
100%
Other Hospitals
All California Hospitals
99.3%
Los Angeles County
100%
Calendar Year 2020, Second Quarter
Northridge Hospital Medical Center
100%
All California Hospitals
98.5%
Los Angeles County
97.4%
Preventative Procedures
2021 Carotid Artery Stenting
Complication Rate
0%
2021 Carotid Endarterectomy
Complication Rate
10%
Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke and account for nearly 80 percent of all strokes. In 2021, 63% of the patients we treated came in with an Ischemic stroke, which is caused by a clot or blockage in an artery leading to the brain. 1 in 5 patients came in with the most serious type of stroke - hemorrhagic, which occurs when a blood vessel ruptures. The most common cause is uncontrolled high blood pressure. Transient Ischemic Attacks or TIAs represent the rest of the visits, and TIAs can serve as a warning to patients that they are at a higher risk of a major stroke and should seek immediate medical attention. More than 40% of our stroke patients are over the age of 75, and age is a risk factor that can't be controlled. However, there are a number of other risk factors including high blood pressure, diabetes, high LDL cholesterol levels and smoking, which can be controlled with medical attention and lifestyle changes.
Once again, the Stroke Center was honored with the Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for 2022 and also qualified for recognition on the Target Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll. This award recognizes Northridge Hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a high standard of stroke care by ensuring that our stroke patients receive treatment that meets nationally accepted, evidence-based standards and recommendations.
Hospitals receiving Get With The Guidelines® Gold Plus Achievement Award have reached an aggressive goal of treating patients with 85 percent or higher compliance to core standard levels of care as outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association® for 2 consecutive calendar years. In addition, those hospitals have demonstrated 75 percent compliance to (four out of ten heart failure quality measures or seven out of ten stroke quality measures) during the 12-month period.
Recognizes hospitals for achieving Time to Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy within the recommended times for at least 75 percent of applicable patients to improve quality of patient care and outcomes.
In the event of a stroke, our Stroke Center experts respond swiftly to help minimize damage to the brain. In addition, we offer exceptional diagnostic tools to help prevent stroke, even for patients who are at high risk.
According to the CDC in 2022, strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in America. They are also a leading cause of disability. Stroke is a serious emergency. The faster you arrive to the hospital, the better chance of recovering from long-term disability.
Watch for these signs and symptoms if you think you or someone else may be having a stroke:
FAST, the previous acronym to help people spot the signs of a possible stroke has been updated to include Balance and Eyes. So remember BE FAST.
B – Balance: Is the person experiencing a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
E – Eyes: Is the person having a sudden change in vision or trouble seeing?
F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
T – Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9‐1‐1 immediately.
Using the new CoolGard Technology Northridge Hospital’s team of stroke experts bring a temperature down quicker, thus preserving brain tissue. Patient benefits include less complications; a quicker, more complete recovery; and a shorter hospital stay.
The Stroke Center offers exceptional diagnostic tools to help prevent stroke even for patients who are at risk due to birth defects, trauma, un-ruptured aneurysms and other serious conditions.
To help cope with issues surrounding stroke we offer a free Stroke Support Group for Survivors and Caregivers. For more information, please call (818) 885-8500, ext. 3637.
The Stroke Rehabilitation Program at the Center for Rehabilitation Medicine is designed for patients who have had a Cerebrovascular Accident (Brain Attack). Most patients return home and are able to lead a relatively independent lifestyle.
The Program assists patients in regaining their highest level of function in communication, self-care, mobility and emotional well-being.
The Stroke Center offers advancements in treatment and rehabilitation, which have made it possible for many
stroke patients to regain optimal function and quality of life. For more information about our Stroke Center, please call (833) 623-1297, ext. 3675.
To find a physician, please use our search tool to Find a Doctor.
