Community Memorial Hospital has earned the Gold Seal of Approval for Primary Stroke Centers from the Joint Commission. Community Memorial earned this distinction after the Joint Commission conducted an on-site review in January.
"Community Memorial demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients," says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.
Each year, about 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation's third leading cause of death. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today. At Community Memorial alone, more than 235 stroke patients were treated in 2007.
"We're proud to achieve this distinction," said Deb McCann, Director of Critical Care and Emergency Services at Community Memorial Hospital. "Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes Community Memorial's commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community. Our patients now know they will receive care based on best practice standards from throughout the country."
The Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association's statements/guidelines for stroke care. The Joint Commission launched the program - the nation's first - in 2003. A list of programs certified by the Joint Commission is available at www.jointcommission.org.