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Home News State-of-the-Art Stroke Care Right in Your Community

State-of-the-Art Stroke Care Right in Your Community

Published: Wednesday, January 3, 2007

By Wendi Hope Bishop, Editor

 

The University of Tennessee Medical Center became the first hospital in the region to earn the prestigious Primary Stroke Center Certification from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). This classification recognizes UT Medical Center as a facility that makes exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care.

What does that mean for you or your loved ones? It means that UT Medical Center right here in your area offers the highest level of stroke care, which it has continually demonstrated through its commitment to standards compliance to improve stroke patients’ outcomes. 

Approximately 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke each year in the United States, and it is the third leading cause of death. Superior stroke care, prevention measures, treatment and education must be practiced in order to significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients and potential stroke patients.

The hospital organized a multi-disciplinary stroke team of physicians, nurses and therapists to plan, implement, monitor and improve the care of patients who suffer from stroke. “The stroke team collaborates with Emergency Medical Services, regional emergency rooms and the community to ensure prompt identification of symptoms and implementation of treatment interventions with the goal of reducing the long-term impact of stroke,” says Dr. Kent Hutson, Medical Director of the Stroke Center at UT Medical Center.

Someone in the United States suffers from stroke every 45 seconds. Know the warning signs of stroke, so you can get help quickly and improve your chance for a better recovery.

• Sudden weakness, paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden onset of double vision, dimness or loss of vision
• Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding language
• Sudden severe headache without apparent cause
• Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or loss of balance, especially in combination with other signs

If you or someone you know if experiencing any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

This stroke certification is the Gold Seal of Approval™ for stroke care awarded by JCAHO, the nation’s predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. Currently, only four other hospitals in the state of Tennessee have earned this certification. Charles A. Mowll, Executive Vice President , Business Development, Government and External Relations, Joint Commission states, “UT Medical Center demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients.”

For more information, visit the Brain and Spine Institute or Stroke Services.