Smiling older man in glasses wearing a blue shirt holds a basketball overhead while playing with friends on an outdoor court.

Stroke

Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center

Mission

Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock was awarded the American Heart Association’s: Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Award, along with the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus & Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll distinction in 2025 and 2026. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality care to patients with stroke and type 2 diabetes. The GWTG Gold Plus award is given to hospitals that have demonstrated two years of adherence to quality measures designed to improve patient outcomes.

Our Mission

In support of our hospital mission, the Stroke Program is committed to improving stroke care and prevention by:

Providing exemplary clinical care
Educating staff and patients on stroke recognition, timely treatment and prevention
Extending our program to provide community education

The Highest Standard of Care

We work to provide each patient with the latest, most effective treatment–a commitment that has earned Baptist Health Stroke Certifications from the DNV, and The Joint Commission for advanced quality care.

Stroke Center certification designates hospitals with advanced technology, infrastructure, staff and training to receive and treat patients of all ages with all types of strokes. In addition to being prepared to treat all types of strokes quicker than non-certified hospitals, we offer:

24/7 stroke team access
Advanced imaging technology and protocols
Advanced treatment options including thrombolytics and minimally invasive surgery
Seamless integration with the ER
A multidisciplinary approach including therapy, pastoral care, and rehabilitation experts

In addition to Joint Commission certification, each hospital has also received additional awards from the American Heart Association.

Recognizing a Stroke

Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
Confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding
Problems with vision such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes
Dizziness or problems with balance or coordination
Problems with movement or walking
Severe headaches with no other known cause

Remember, BE FAST

BE FAST is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, you’ll know when you need to call 9-1-1 for help. The sooner the person having a stroke receives medical care, the better their chances of survival and recovery will be.

BE FAST stands for:

Balance – Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?

Eyes – Is there double vision or sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes?

Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?

Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?

Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.

BE FAST stroke warning signs: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time. Call 911 immediately.

Primary Stroke Centers - Baptist Health

Are You at Risk for Stroke?

Answering the following questions can help you learn more about your risk for stroke.

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