Lima Memorial Awarded Primary Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission

posted on: 10/4/2019 3:41:48 PM

Lima Memorial Health System has been designated by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. Deemed the Gold Seal of Approval® by The Joint Commission, this certification signifies that Lima Memorial has undergone a comprehensive onsite evaluation and meets strict national stroke care standards.

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association. On average, 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

“Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, Chief Operating Officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and Chief Nursing Executive of The Joint Commission. “We commend Lima Memorial Health System for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for stroke patients.”

To earn the accreditation, Lima Memorial underwent a rigorous onsite review to assess its compliance with The Joint Commission’s Advanced Disease-Specific Care certification requirements. Those requirements focus on having a dedicated stroke-focused program, staffed by qualified medical professionals trained in stroke care, an active collaboration with local emergency management agencies, round-the-clock ability to perform rapid diagnostic and laboratory testing, ability to administer intravenous “clot-busting” medications to eligible patients and availability of telemedicine technology.

“We are honored to have received this advanced certification from The Joint Commission,” says Timothy Zwayer, MD and Medical Director of Lima Memorial’s Stroke Program. “Receiving The Gold Seal of Approval® gives us the opportunity to highlight our unwavering commitment to providing the greatest level of patient care and a high standard of service for patients who have experienced a stroke.”