Presbyterian Healthcare 
2004 News Releases
Presbyterian Hospital First in the Region to Receive Primary Stroke Center Certification
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August 4, 2004 Contact: Amy Philbeck, Presbyterian Healthcare, 704-384-9798 |
Presbyterian Hospital recently received Primary Stroke Center Certification from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, making Presbyterian Hospital the first hospital in the region to receive this national recognition.
"This is an exciting accomplishment, particularly paired with our recent chest pain center accreditation," said Carl Armato, president and CEO of Presbyterian Hospital. "We continually strive to provide the best healthcare in the region and voluntarily pursued these independent evaluations to enhance the safety and quality of care we provide to both our stroke and chest pain patients. In fact, we're the first hospital in the Carolinas to have both stroke center certification and chest pain center accreditation."
Presbyterian Hospital received the designation of Accredited Chest Pain Center from the Society of Chest Pain Centers in May, and, by the end of July, reviewers from the Joint Commission had notified Presbyterian Hospital of their stroke center certification.
The primary stroke center designation was awarded based on compliance with consensus-based national standards, effective use of established clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care and performance measurement and improvement activities. The certification recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care, thereby delivering the best care possible to their patients.
The Joint Commission conducted a review that included interviews with stroke team members and an assessment of procedures and protocols in place to respond to stroke victims. In cases where improvements must be made before a certification is granted, JCAHO will issue "recommendations" at the conclusion of their inspection visit. Presbyterian's stroke program received no "recommendations" and was awarded its certification on the first try.
"Presbyterian Hospital's Stroke Center features a dedicated stroke unit, a neurologicial intensive care unit and the most advanced treatment protocols available," said Aristides Chaconas, M.D., neurologist and medical director of Presbyterian's Stroke Center. "Patients who arrive at Presbyterian's emergency department with stroke symptoms are seen within minutes by highly trained specialists who immediately begin to make important treatment decisions - 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
"With strokes as the number one cause of disability in the United States and the third leading cause of death, designations, like the stroke center certification, are increasingly important," said Tony Bell, M.D., interventional neuroradiologist and a member of Presbyterian's stroke team. "The signs and symptoms of stroke are still not widely known, and many Americans do not understand it is a medical emergency requiring immediate action, even if the symptoms last only a minute or two."
The public needs to be more aware of stroke and the positive difference a certified stroke center makes in a patient's life, Dr. Bell said. When it comes to stroke care, the difference in the level of care a hospital provides can determine whether a patient survives.
"Primary Stroke Center Certification assures our patients and their families that the Primary Stroke Center is committed to quality and safety excellence," said Maureen Connors Potter, executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification Program, Joint Commission. "It is the Gold Seal of Approval for healthcare quality and safety."
For more information and to receive a free magnet and wallet card with stroke and heart attack warning signs, call 704-384-CARE.
