MidState Medical Center is proud to announce that it has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center, emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to effectively meet the specialized needs of stroke patients.
“To be awarded the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission was a great honor. The stroke program team members and the hospital staff at large worked diligently to earn this outstanding recognition. It further demonstrates the dedication MidState Medical Center has to the members of our community to provide quality, state- of-the-art care to our patients. It was also rewarding to be the first program at MidState to achieve Joint Commission certification,”
Accreditation from the Joint Commission signifies that the Stroke Center is patient-centered with distinct performance measures and nationally recognized guidelines for the care of the stroke patient.
Approximately 1 in 3 Americans are affected by stroke every year. To put those numbers in perspective in this community, MidState saw over 300 stroke and transient ischemic attack (“mini stroke”) patients in the last year.
“Education is a crucial component of stroke prevention and treatment. People need to recognize and understand the warning signs and symptoms of stroke/TIA and know that prompt intervention may make all the difference in achieving a very favorable outcome. It is vital to remember that “time is brain” so if a stroke is suspected, emergency ambulance transportation to the hospital is critical. Any delay can markedly diminish treatment options,” said Pat Giannelli, APRN, MidState’s Stroke Coordinator.
The F.A.S.T. acronym can help you remember the warning signs of stroke. Call 9-1-1 and seek medical attention if you or someone you know experiences sudden facial paralysis, sudden numbness or weakness in the arm or leg (particularly one side), trouble speaking or understanding couple with confusion, or sudden severe headache with unknown cause.
Remember, May is National Stroke Awareness Month. What you know can make a difference!
