Did you know that Saint Francis is a certified primary stroke center?

stroke fastKnowledge could be your best defense against stroke.

If you know the warning signs of a stroke—and call 911 quickly if you notice them—you can boost your chances of recovering from this life-threatening condition.

“The No. 1 thing to know about stroke is that it’s a time-sensitive condition,” says Mandy Binning, MD, neurosurgeon and medical director of the Stroke Program at Saint Francis Hospital. “Our treatments can only happen in those patients who present quickly after the onset of their stroke symptoms.”

Also important to know: Saint Francis is a Primary Stroke Center certified by The Joint Commission. This means that, in addition to other criteria, Saint Francis is staffed and equipped to quickly diagnose and treat stroke with clot-busting medicines.

Time is brain

Most strokes are ischemic strokes. They happen when a clot lodges in a blood vessel and blocks circulation to an area of the brain. Unless this blood supply is restored, brain tissue in the affected area will die. This damage can result in permanent paralysis or death.

At primary stroke centers like Saint Francis, specialists can administer a medicine, called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), to dissolve clots and reverse a stroke. This medicine must be given quickly (up to 4.5 hours) after your symptoms start. But you shouldn’t wait more than a minute to dial 911 if you even suspect a stroke.

“The longer you wait, the more brain tissue you’ll lose,” Dr. Binning says.

“The No. 1 thing to know about stroke is that it’s a time-sensitive condition. Our treatments can only happen in those patients who present quickly after the onset of their stroke symptoms.”


—Mandy Binning, MD

Stroke warning signs

Stroke signs and symptoms come on suddenly and may include:

  • Numbness, weakness or tingling of a face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Confusion, such as trouble speaking or understanding speech
  • Vision problems in one or both eyes
  • Dizziness, loss of balance or trouble walking
  • Severe headache for no clear reason

The acronym FAST can help you remember these warning signs and what to do if you notice them in yourself or someone else:

F—face drooping or numbness


A—arm weakness or numbness


S—speech difficulties


T—time to call 911

Unfortunately, people sometimes blame their stroke symptoms on tiredness or stress. Or they wait for them to resolve.

“But you should really heed these warnings,” Dr. Binning says.

Did you also know…

Saint Francis is a Level III Trauma Center with the shortest emergency room consumer wait times in New Castle County. What’s more, in 2021 our 68-minute average door-to-balloon time (the time it takes for heart attack patients who arrive at our hospital to undergo treatment to open their blocked arteries) beat the national benchmark of 90 minutes.

We’re fast!

When a suspected stroke patient arrives at Saint Francis, the stroke team springs into action. This highly skilled team includes emergency physicians and nurses as well as a neurologist or neurosurgeon, such as Dr. Binning. They use imaging tests and other exams to quickly determine if the patient is having a clot-caused stroke. If so, the team can give tPA, which can often reverse or diminish signs and symptoms of a stroke and save a life.

But all of that can only happen if you get medical help ASAP if you think you or someone else is having a stroke.