Stroke Centers at Duke

A designated stroke center meets national stroke care standards set by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA), and is accredited by the Joint Commission. Designated stroke centers follow the groups’ recommendations and guidelines, and have established ways to measure improvements in stroke care and patient outcomes. There are different levels of stroke center designations.

Duke University Hospital is certified as a comprehensive stroke center, the highest level of stroke certification. Our stroke center provides the full spectrum of stroke care, from fast diagnosis and treatment to stroke rehabilitation and patient support and education. Our skilled staff and resources are ready at all times to administer complex stroke treatments. In addition, our neurological program is consistently ranked among the nation's best by U.S. News & World Report.

Research plays a pivotal role in our ability to deliver high-quality stroke care. As national leaders in stroke research, our stroke specialists help write the national guidelines for stroke prevention and treatment. We participate in studies and clinical trials that give you access to the latest treatments available. Ongoing trials include studies on the genetics of vascular disease, as well as new approaches to stroke prevention, stroke treatment, and ways to enhance post-stroke recovery.

Duke Raleigh Hospital is certified as a primary stroke center. Our stroke specialists care for all strokes using medical therapy, minimally invasive techniques and advanced surgical procedures such as thrombectomy, a clot retrieval procedure performed by highly-skilled neurosurgeons that open the blockage caused by the stroke.

Duke Regional Hospital is certified as a primary stroke center. This designation recognizes our ongoing commitment to provide quality care that results in better outcomes for out stroke patients. Our specialists care for all strokes with medical therapy and minimally invasive techniques.  

Duke hospitals were awarded the 2017 AHA/ASA Get with the Guidelines Gold Plus award, which recognizes our stroke centers' ongoing commitment to improving patient care and patient outcomes. 

In addition:

• Duke University Hospital received the Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus
• Duke Raleigh Hospital received the Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite
• Duke Regional Hospital received the Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite

These honors recognize how quickly clot-busting therapy is started in patients at Duke hospitals.

The AHA/ASA publish guidelines to determine how fast a stroke should be diagnosed and treated once stroke symptoms occur. Prompt treatment influences whether stroke patients can return home or to a rehabilitation facility following discharge. According to 2016 data, Duke hospitals consistently perform better than North Carolina hospitals on average.

• A stroke occurs when the brain no longer gets oxygen because its blood supply is blocked. Diagnosing the type and location of that blockage helps prevent death and permanent disability. According to AHA/ASA guidelines, brain imaging should be performed and results obtained within 45 minutes of a stroke patient entering a North Carolina hospital.  Duke Hospitals achieve this goal faster than other North Carolina hospitals. 
• AHA/ASA guidelines suggest the clot-busting medication TPA be administered within three hours of the start of stroke symptoms. Duke hospitals consistently perform better than the North Carolina average. 
• The goal of fast stroke treatment is to minimize negative effects, including permanent disabilities, and return you to your daily activities. Duke hospitals consistently perform better than North Carolina hospitals. 

Review 2016 stroke care quality data for Duke Health hospitals.