Griffin, GA – October 25, 2010 Spalding Regional Medical Center is proud to have received certification on September 17 as a Primary Stroke Center, earning the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission. Spalding Regional earned this distinction after the Joint Commission conducted an on-site review in August.
“Spalding Regional Medical Center demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients,” says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.
Each year about 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation’s third leading cause of death. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today.
The Joint Commission's certification as a Primary Stroke Center recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. It is the best signal to the community that the quality care provided is effectively managed to meet the unique and specialized needs of stroke patients. As a certified Joint Commission Primary Care Stroke Center and member of the Paul Coverdell registry, patients can be assured of receiving quality care that is evidence medicine based on proven guidelines at Spalding Regional Medical Center.
“We’re proud to achieve the distinction,” says John Quinn, CEO. “Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes Spalding Regional’s commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community.”
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/guidelines for stroke care. The Joint Commission launched the program—the nation’s first—in 2003.
About Spalding Regional Medical Center
Spalding Regional Medical Center, part of Tenet Healthcare, is a 160-bed acute care hospital located at 601 South Eighth Street in Griffin, Ga. The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of Spalding, Butts, Clayton, Fayette, Henry, Lamar and Pike counties for more than 100 years. Spalding Regional provides a full range of medical services, including specialties in orthopedics, women’s services, cardiac care, oncology services, physical, occupational and speech therapy and sleep medicine. Spalding Regional Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. For information on Spalding Regional, visit www.spaldingregional.com.
About The Joint Commission
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 18,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 9,500 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,300 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. In addition, The Joint Commission also provides certification of more than 1,000 disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at http://www.jointcommission.org/.