The Joint Commission names AMC as Certified Primary Stroke Center

Adventist Medical Center (AMC), a nonprofit, 302-bed acute care hospital in southeast Portland, Ore., has been named a Certified Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. This distinction means AMC offers fast and effective stroke care, and has a commitment to continuing education and improvement to issues connected with stroke.

“It is our goal for each and every employee at Adventist Health to provide the highest quality care for our patients, which complements the guidelines set forth by The Joint Commission.”

The certification process is rigorous and is based on the evaluation of standards, clinical practice guidelines and performance activities maintained in the hospital. It includes surveying employees at the hospital -- from the cashier at the café to the nurses in the emergency department -- to make sure that they know the signs of stroke and appropriate responses.

"We are honored to be recognized by the Joint Commission as one of the primary stroke care centers in Oregon," said Ellen Tryon, vice president of patient care services for AMC. "It is our goal for each and every employee at Adventist Health to provide the highest quality care for our patients, which complements the guidelines set forth by The Joint Commission."

The Joint Commission Primary Stroke Centers are recognized for their exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. Requirements include:

• Use a standard method of delivering care based on the Brain Attack Collation recommendations for establishment of primary stroke centers.
• Support a patient's self-management activities.
• Tailor treatment and intervention to individual needs.
• Promote the flow of patient information across settings and providers, while protecting patient rights, security and privacy.
• Analyze and use standardized performance measure data to continually improve treatment plans.
• Demonstrate their application of and compliance with the clinical practice guidelines published by the AHA/ASA or equivalent evidence-based guidelines.

"Our commitment to excellence and focus on patient care is core to our mission," said Pam Almandinger, stroke program coordinator at AMC. "This represents a hospital-wide commitment to reducing death and disability due to stroke. Becoming certified has reinforced our dedication and attention to detail about the importance of quality service."

The Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center Certification Program was developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association in 2003. There are more than 600 primary stroke centers across 49 states that have received the certification.

SOURCE Adventist Medical Center (AMC)