|
February 2, 2010
| Marquette General Health System’s Stroke Care Program awarded certification from Joint Commission |
|
 |
Marquette General Health System has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers. MGHS earned this distinction after the Joint Commission conducted an extensive on-site review last fall.
Certification means that MGHS has demonstrated a commitment to providing the highest quality care when judged against rigorous standards of performance for stroke. Adhering to national standards and guidelines can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients.
“We’re proud to be the first Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center in the region,” said A. Gary Muller, FACHE, MGHS President CEO. “Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes MGHS’s commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community. We look forward to extending stroke treatment and prevention services to our partners and other colleagues throughout the Upper Peninsula and beyond. Our vision is to improve the quality of life and to save lives with a coordinated Stroke Center of Excellence.”
In 2009, 217 stroke patients were admitted to MGH. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3 minutes in the United States. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the US, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today.
"Caring for stroke patients is a multidisciplinary effort that must be carefully orchestrated to achieve efficiency in time-sensitive situations as well as in-hospital care and discharge planning," said MGH Stroke Center Medical Director, Roman Politi, MD. “This certification is a testament to our hardworking staff and physicians who continually provide the best quality care to every patient that comes through our doors. We are proud to say that more than 65 percent of our stroke patients go home or spend a short stay in our rehabilitation unit.”
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 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.
For more information, please call MGH Stroke Clinical Coordinator Jeanette Stebelton, RN, MSN at (906) 225-7587.
|
