MEMBER: Jefferson Memorial Hospital Awarded Advanced Certification for Acute Stroke Ready Hospital
Hospital becomes the first in Tennessee to receive new designation
KNOXVILLE, TN (September 7, 2016) – Tennova Healthcare today announced that Jefferson Memorial Hospital has earned Advanced Disease-Specific Care Certification for Acute Stroke Ready Hospital 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.
Jefferson Memorial Hospital underwent a rigorous onsite review on August 26, 2016. To earn Acute Stroke Ready Hospital 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
“We received excellent on-the-spot feedback from the survey team, and we promptly received notification from The Joint Commission that our hospital is recognized for supporting better outcomes for stroke care,” said Colin McRae, chief executive officer of Jefferson Memorial Hospital. “This certification underscores our commitment to providing life-saving care to patients in this community.”
Established in 2015, Acute Stroke Ready Hospital Certification is awarded for a two-year period. Jefferson Memorial Hospital is the first hospital in Tennessee to earn the designation.
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone dies of a stroke every four minutes.
“We are proud to serve as a bridge for stroke patients,” McRae said. “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.”