Earlier this year, Community Hospital East demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients. The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association’s statements and guidelines for stroke care. The Joint Commission launched the program—the nation’s first—in 2003.

A celebration was held Thursday, May 15. “As part of the celebration and in recognition of Stroke Awareness Month, members of the stroke team will host a stroke education table. The team will explain stroke risks, sign and symptoms. Give-away items and contest prizes will be awarded to individuals who participate in interactive quizzes and drawing. We hope to see many of our employees as well as visitors stop by to celebrate with us,” commented José Longoria, Vice President of neuroscience/pulmonary services.

Established in 2004, Community East’s Stroke team is led by clinical nurse specialist Deb Ferguson, M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., C.N.R.N. and Doug Strobel, M.D., medical director for the Stroke Program. This team is comprised of multi-disciplinary clinical team members from throughout the hospital that care for the stroke patient along the path of recovery. It meets regularly to review, discuss and evaluate patient safety and quality goals, education and training, new policies and protocols to achieve The Joint Commission Accreditation as a Primary Stroke Center.