Blessing Health System issued the following announcement on Jan. 12.
Blessing Hospital has been recertified as a nationally-recognized Primary Stroke Center. The recertification affirms the hospital’s readiness and ability to provide the highest quality stroke-related healthcare, which includes diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education.
A Primary Stroke Center survey is conducted every three years at Blessing and other participating hospitals nationwide, by DNV-GL, a world-leading certification body, using standards created by the American Stroke Association and the Brain Attack Coalition, to ensure the hospitals are following the established national standards.
The Blessing Stroke Team, consisting of caregivers from different hospital departments, is responsible for ensuring Blessing’s care meets the standards.
“This certification demonstrates to the communities we serve that we have the resources and commitment to provide the best possible stroke care,” said Christopher Solaro, MD, PhD, Chief of Medicine, Blessing Health System and physician champion, Blessing Stroke Team.
“Readiness and ability to deliver this life-saving care are a combination of the right equipment, personnel and training to quickly assess and treat strokes,” he continued. “Achieving certification validates all the effort we have put into this program and to ensuring the health and safety of our patients.”
Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted by a blood clot or damaged blood vessel. The lack of blood flow kills brain cells quickly contributing to disability and possible death.
Kathy Jochem, CNS, is a clinical nurse specialist and Blessing Hospital Stroke Coordinator.
“The majority of strokes occur in people age 65 and older,” she said. “For the best possible outcome, quality stroke care must be delivered quickly to save as many brain cells as possible from damage.”
“With the large number of senior citizens in the region served by Blessing, this certification and the skills it represents are crucial to stroke patients,” Jochem concluded.
According to the National Stroke Association, stroke is a leading cause of death, killing nearly 130,000 people each year, and is a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Blessing Health System
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