|
The Daily Democrat ~ by MELODY STONE
June 16, 2009, Woodland, CA - If a loved one has a stroke do you know the signs and symptoms?
What about where to take them once you've determined what's wrong? Woodland Healthcare is the only hospital in Yolo County with a Primary Stroke Center. All hospitals will treat strokes but Woodland Healthcare's stroke team is made up of nurses on call at all times to ensure certain protocols are carried out for each patient coming in with a stroke.
On Monday morning the commitment of implementing a high standard of stroke care by the stroke team was recognized by the American Heart Association/Stroke Association with the American Stroke Association's Get with the Guidelines - Stroke Silver Performance Award.
President Kevin Vaziri said in a speech at the reception, "Almost three years ago, Woodland Healthcare received Primary Stroke Center Designation by the Join Commission. We proved then that we could deliver the best care for patients suffering a stroke. By virtue of the awards to be presented this morning, it is evident we are not resting on our laurels. We continue to improve upon our process.
"We continue to serve our patients well, and we continue to provide the best stroke care, right here, in Woodland, the seat of Yolo County," Vaziri said.
The Silver Performance award is the highest honor Woodland Healthcare is eligible for at the moment, but they are on the path to gold, but it requires more time in the program.
Dr. Lee Schwamm said in a statement, "The American Stroke Association commends Woodland Healthcare for its success in implementing standards of care and protocols."
Schwamm is a national Get With the Guidelines Steering Committee Member and director of acute stroke services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. "The full implementation of acute care and secondary prevention recommendations and guidelines is a critical step in saving the lives and improving outcomes of stroke patients."
With the Silver Award Woodland Healthcare will be listed in the US News and World Reporter as one of the best hospitals in the nation.
ReAnne Archangel from the American Stroke Association presented the award. Several stroke survivors were In attendance, as well as physicians, and Marshall McKay, tribal chairman of the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians. The tribe is a major supporter of Woodland Healthcare's Emergency Department.
Debbie Porter is a nurse on the stroke team and the self proclaimed hospital bull dog. When a patient comes in suffering from a stroke she makes sure the protocols are followed and that patient gets all the care they need.
"The key is to educate the community to know the signs and symptoms of a stroke," she said at the reception.
"I've worked really hard for this," she said about the acknowledgment from the American Stroke Association.
According to the National Stroke Association a stroke occurs in the brain when a blood vessel is clotted and oxygen isn't reaching the brain. Brain cells start to die at a rate of about 1 million a minute. This is why time is so crucial. If a stroke victim can get to the emergency room and get treatment within three hours the chances of recovery are greatly increased.
"With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and the GWTG-Stroke Silver Performance Achievement Award addresses the important element of time," said Dr. Dominic Erba, medical director, quality resource management at Woodland Healthcare, in a press release.
|
