Tennova Healthcare’s Medical Centers in LaFollette, Morristown and Newport Receive Advanced Certification for Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals
2/6/2018
KNOXVILLE, TN (February 6, 2018) – Tennova Healthcare today announced that LaFollette Medical Center, Lakeway Regional Hospital and Newport Medical Center have earned Advanced Disease-Specific Care Certification for Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals from The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. This certification recognizes hospitals equipped to treat stroke patients with timely, evidence-based care prior to transferring them to a primary or comprehensive stroke center.
“Stroke certification recognizes Tennova as a leader in stroke care, providing a higher standard of service for stroke patients,” said Tony Benton, market chief executive officer for Tennova Healthcare in East Tennessee. “Earning stroke center certification at our community hospitals underscores our commitment to providing life-saving care to patients—close to home.”
The three Tennova hospitals recently underwent a rigorous onsite review. To earn Acute Stroke Ready certification, rural or critical access hospitals must meet a variety of standards, including:
- A dedicated stroke-focused program
- Staffing by qualified medical professionals trained in stroke care
- 24/7 ability to perform rapid diagnostic and laboratory testing
- Ability to administer intravenous clot-busting medications to eligible patients
- Availability of telemedicine technology
- Collaboration with local emergency management agencies
Previously, North Knoxville Medical Center and Physicians Regional Medical Center earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers, reflecting the high level of quality care and competence in treating stroke patients. Jefferson Memorial Hospital and Turkey Creek Medical Center are also certified as Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals.
“Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States,” Benton said. “On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone dies of a stroke every four minutes. If people having a stroke can access advanced care more quickly, more lives can be saved and more people will avoid the disabilities that stroke so often causes.”
Tennova encourages people to know the symptoms of a stroke. Use F.A.S.T. to remember the warning signs:
- FACE – Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop or is number?
- ARMS – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- SPEECH – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Are the words repeated correctly? Or slurred?
- TIME – If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately.
For more information or to find a doctor, call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682).
About The Joint Commission
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more at www.jointcommission.org.
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke—America’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers. They team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association. Learn more at www.heart.org.
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