Fatal Strokes Higher Than Average at Valley Hospital

According to statistics from the state health department,  and several nearby competitors lag behind the state and nation in preventing fatal strokes.

The New Jersey Department of Health rated 72 major hospitals across the state according to the number of deaths per 100 patients for pneumonia, stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. The data for the "Mortality Inpatient Quality Indicator" study was taken for the year 2008. Lower numbers are more desirable.

The average mortality rates statewide were 2.4 percent for pneumonia, 8.2 percent for stroke, 5.9 percent for heart attack, and 2.4 percent for heart failure. (For a better look, check out NJSpotlight.com's interactive map.)

The Valley Hospital, rated in the "average" tier, scored a 3.4 for pneumonia, a 9.9 for stroke, 6 for heart attack and 2.6 for heart failure.

Area hospitals like St. Joseph's in Wayne received a "lowest" tier rating while Bergen Regional Medical Center in Paramus had the highest categorical rating for mortalities. Teaneck's Holy Name Hospital and Hackensack University Medical Center both fared better than Valley, claiming "lowest" ratings. Of local competitors, Englewood scores most similarly to Valley, statistics show.

In a statement sent to Patch late last week, Valley said the data indicates all Bergen Hospitals are struggling keeping strokes down.

Competitors like Bergen Regional scored a 15.8, nearly double the state average. Englewood scored an 8.8; Holy Name a 6.7; HUMC a 7.4, according to the data. The national average is 9.2 fatal strokes per 100 patients admitted to hospitals.

"There are a number of possible explanations for the higher-than-average mortality reported among stroke patients at Valley," Valley Hospital said in a statement. "For one, in the year covered by this report, most of the patients treated at Valley for stroke had suffered hemorrhagic strokes – bleeds in the brain – which are known to be more deadly and less responsive to treatment, than strokes that result from blood clots."

Valley also said "many" of the stroke patients had "multiple" pre-existing or co-existing medical conditions, including pneumonia and congestive heart failure, complications Valley says contributed to their deaths.

Hospital reps say another cause for the higher-than-average mortality rate at Valley is attributed to "few people" being able to recognize symptoms of a stroke or properly managing risks.

Calling immediately after the first sign of symptoms is key, according to the Ridgewood-based hospital.

"Prompt treatment at a hospital equipped to promptly recognize and treat stroke symptoms can mean the difference between recovery and death or disability for a patient having a stroke," the statement reads. Citing a Gallup poll, only 40 percent of people would call 911 immediately if they were having a stroke, Valley stated.

Higher than average stroke mortality rates or not, Valley says it's comfortable saying it provides top stroke-related care. It was the first hospital in the NYC metro area to be awarded a Disease-Specific Care Certification from The Joint Commission, which specifically measures stroke programs. The Ridgewood hospital has also garnered an achievement award from the American Heart Association/American Joint Association.

"We are proud of our long track record of providing excellent, nationally recognized stroke care," Valley wrote in the statement.