Austin, TX (January 2, 2007) -- Brackenridge Hospital and Seton Medical Center Austin, members of the Seton Family of Hospitals, have both received the coveted Gold Seal of ApprovalTM for their comprehensive stroke prevention and treatment programs. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) once again awarded the facilities Primary Stroke Center Certification after conducting an on-site review in November 2006.
"Both Brackenridge and Seton Medical Center Austin demonstrated that the stroke care programs follow national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients," says Charles A. Mowll, executive vice president, Business Development, Government and External Relations, JCAHO.
Primary Stroke Centers are required to meet certain standards of care as established by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association. They include 24/7 stroke team physicians who are experts in diagnosing and treating cerebrovascular disease, round-the-clock imaging services and comprehensive commitment from hospital staff to coordinate and deliver care to acute stroke patients.
The Joint Commission launched the nation's first-ever certification program based on these standards of care in 2003. Brackenridge and Seton Medical Center Austin were the first hospitals in the state to be designated as Primary Stroke Centers in December 2004. The designation is good for two years, thus an on-site follow-up visit was conducted by JCAHO last fall.
On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Here in Central Texas, more than 1,800 strokes occur each year.
Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease. It affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood - and oxygen - that it needs, so it starts to die.
"Our comprehensive care starts from the moment someone enters the emergency department, through acute treatment to rehabilitation," says Neal Rutledge, MD, Medical Director of Stroke at Seton Family of Hospitals. "The most important thing for people to keep in mind, though, is that they need to seek treatment as soon as possible. Knowing the signs and symptoms of stroke is critical."
Warning signs of a stroke include:
· Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
· Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
· Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
· Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
· Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
"We're very pleased to achieve this distinction once again," says Darryl Camp, MD, Medical Director of Neurology, Seton Family of Hospitals. "Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes our commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community."
Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the