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Comprehensive Stroke Center

Comprehensive Stroke Center

Neurologist looking at monitors while conducting a procedure in operating room.

The Queen’s Medical Center
Neuroscience Institute Outpatient Center

Physicians Office Building 3 (POB3)

550 South Beretania Street
Suite 405
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Fax: 
808-691-8865

Hours: 
Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm

Home » Conditions & Treatments » Neuroscience » Comprehensive Stroke Center

Queen’s Neuroscience Institute is Hawai‘i’s first Comprehensive Stroke Center designated by The Joint Commission. Our team and facility are prepared 24/7 to deliver advanced stroke treatments for the most complex stroke cases. In addition, our expert stroke care includes the state’s only Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (NSICU)

What is a Stroke?

During a stroke, or “brain attack,” a blood vessel to the brain is blocked by a blood clot (ischemic stroke) or bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). Approximately 1.9 million brain cells can die each minute, so immediate treatment is essential.

Comprehensive Stroke Center Benefits

Hospitals with a Comprehensive Stroke Center designation have achieved the highest level of certification available with regard to stroke care. 

The benefits of coming to a Comprehensive Stroke Center include the:

Only a Comprehensive Stroke Center offers 24/7 access to:

In many stroke cases, these advanced treatments are needed to give the patient the best chance of a good recovery.

Sub-specialties

Queen’s Outpatient Stroke Clinic is dedicated to ensuring continuity of high-level care for stroke patients throughout their recovery process. Once discharged from the hospital, stroke patients face multiple barriers in receiving optimal care as they transition back into the community. The mission of the Outpatient Stroke Clinic is to provide our patients with patient-centered stroke care in an effort to maximize both rehabilitation and secondary stroke prevention.

Our clinic is able to meet the complex needs of stroke patients through:

Queen’s Neuro-Cardiology Program provides comprehensive and multidisciplinary care for stroke/TIA patients with underlying structural heart disease such as patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal defect (ASD). The mission of the program is to provide the highest quality of patient-centered care through a collaborative decision-making process to ensure that appropriate patients are selected for the procedure.

To learn more about our services, or to make an appointment, call 808-691-8866.

Queen’s Obstetric Neurovascular Service is the first of its kind in the country, providing comprehensive care for pregnant women with complex neurovascular conditions. From pregnancy through postpartum care, our multidisciplinary neurovascular team coordinates with all clinicians to offer individualized care to ensure the well-being of both mother and baby. 

Our obstetrical management includes conditions with increased risk of stroke during pregnancy, such as:

To learn more about our services, or to make an appointment, call Queen’s Obstetric Neurovascular Service at 808-691-8866.

Patients may also be seen via telehealth, if appropriate, saving the time, expense, and effort of traveling to Queen’s from a neighboring island or other remote areas on O‘ahu.

Our Neuroscience Institute (NSI) physicians also provide emergency stroke consultations to hospitals across the state using telehealth technology to remotely see patients and advise health professionals at the site, extending expert stroke care beyond The Queen’s Medical Center.

Learn More

Quality and Performance Measures

Our stroke quality measures, called Stroke Core Measures, and revascularization performance demonstrate superior quality stroke care compared to the national average.

Signs of Stroke

Stroke happens suddenly, so it’s important to recognize the signs. If a stroke does happen, neurologists recommend calling 911 immediately. It’s the fastest way to get treated, which may reduce permanent disability or death.

Stroke is a brain emergency that is time sensitive. It does not typically cause pain and the symptoms can be subtle, such as numbness or tingling to one side of your body, as well as the symptoms below (BEFAST).

In Hawai’i, our community members frequently do not recognize the initial symptoms of a stroke and wait too long to come to the Emergency Room (ER).  

If you notice any signs of a stroke, call 911 immediately because it’s the fastest way to get treated. Do not take a nap in hopes that the symptoms go away or wait for your family to take you to the ER.  In stroke, every minute counts.  The longer you wait to come to the ER, the more brain cells can die and the less likely you are able to receive a stroke treatment which can save your life.  There are medicines and surgeries available to treat acute strokes, but they are time sensitive. 

If you or anyone you know begins to demonstrate stroke symptoms (BEFAST), call 911. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will do an assessment, notify the hospital of your stroke symptoms so you can be immediately evaluated by a stroke expert, and get a CAT scan immediately upon arrival to the hospital.

Stroke Prevention and Education

As much as 80% of strokes can be prevented. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce your chances of having a stroke. To help prevent a stroke, its best to implement these healthy habits:

High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke. High blood pressure can lead to the blood vessels rupturing (i.e. hemorrhagic stroke) or damage to the walls of the blood vessels causing them to harden and plaque to build-up (i.e. artery disease) which leads to the most common type of stroke, an ischemic stroke.  

Controllable Risk Factors:

  • Diet
  • Weight 
  • Exercise
  • Sleep
  • Stress 
  • Smoking/Vaping
  • Drug Use

Uncontrollable Risk Factors:

  • Genetics
  • Age
  • Race

Maintaining a healthy blood pressure can significantly reduce your chances of having a stroke:

  • Get a blood pressure machine.
  • Check your blood pressure two times a day. First, in the morning before eating & taking medications. Second, in the evening before eating dinner or before bedtime. 
  • Keep a log of your blood pressure numbers. Write down anything that may have contributed to your blood pressure, such as eating a salty meal the night before.

Downloadable PDF: Maintain a Healthy Blood Pressure

Creating a healthy life is a journey. It is best to set a few goals and then set steps to achieve these goals. 

Exercise and diet play a role in reducing inflammation, improving weight control, improving glucose levels, improving sleep, reducing stress levels, reducing cholesterol levels, and maintaining a healthy blood pressure therefore significantly reducing your chances of having a stroke.  To help prevent a stroke, its best to implement these healthy habits:

Exercise Habits: 

  • Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health.
  • Being physically active can improve your brain and heart health, help manage weight, and reduce the risk of disease and stroke.
  • Try something active that you enjoy doing at least 30 minutes per day, five days a week. If that goal seems unrealistic or too difficult, set a goal that you can achieve such as walking for 5 mins today or stretching while watching your favorite TV show. You can break up the 30 minutes into three 10-minute sessions throughout the day. 
  • Exercise can include walking, dancing, swimming, bicycle riding, and more!

Dietary Habits:  

  • Eat a diet of whole foods, fruits, and vegetables. Studies show that consumption can lower your stroke risk significantly.
  • Prepare your own food as much as possible. Pre-prepared foods (from a can, box, or restaurant) are often higher in salt, sugar, and fat.
  • Consider a “Mediterranean Diet,” as it has been shown to increase overall heart and blood vessel health.
  • Consume less than 1,500 mg of salt (sodium) per day and avoid salty food items including table salt, soy sauce, fish sauce, and canned meat.

Downloadable PDFs:

  1. Daily Activity Log 
  2. Mediterranean Diet – Shopping List

Patient Story

John Stiles is an ischemic stroke survivor. A member of his family recognized the BEFAST signs of stroke and called 911 immediately. Now, almost two years later, he is an active volunteer promoting stroke awareness in our community.

Learn More About Stroke Care

To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment with the Comprehensive Stroke Center, please call the Queen’s Neuroscience Institute Outpatient Center at 808-691-8866.