St. Bernards
Medical Center has become one of only four medical centers in the state of
Arkansas to earn certification as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. It is the
only advanced primary stroke center in this region of the state.
The
achievement recognizes the stroke program at St. Bernards as one that
demonstrates it can significantly improve outcomes for patients.
The stroke
program is certified by The Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest
standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare, through a program that
was developed in collaboration with the American Stroke Association.
The local
certification is important because hospitals so designated have programs of
care in place to get patients to the hospital quickly, to perform thorough
evaluations by specially trained physicians and to deliver appropriate
treatment quickly after onset of stroke symptoms.
“In
achieving Joint Commission advanced certification, St. Bernards Medical Center
has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for stroke
patients,” says Jean Range, executive director for disease-specific care
certification with The Joint Commission.
“St.
Bernards is pleased to have earned this advanced certification for primary
stroke centers,” says Administrator Michael K. Givens. “We feel it speaks to
our continuing commitment to provide our patients the highest quality stroke
care centered on current scientific research as well as our commitment to
improving all aspects healthcare in this region.”
St. Bernards
can display The Joint Commission “gold seal of approval” and the American Heart
Association “heart check mark” for advanced certification for primary stroke
centers, symbols that help patients identify St. Bernards as a medical center
that has surpassed numerous standards in the treatment of strokes.
Primary
stroke centers undergo rigorous onsite surveys to ensure they meet all
standards of The Joint Commission in addition to primary stroke center
requirements developed in conjunction with the American Heart Association/American
Stroke Association.
The Joint
Commission evaluates and accredits more than 19,000 healthcare organizations
and programs in the United States, including more than 10,000 hospitals, and it
certifies more than 2,000 disease-specific care programs.
The American
Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization
dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.
St. Bernards
has served as the trusted provider of comprehensive healthcare for residents
throughout Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri for more than a century.