Raleigh General Hospital Awarded a Primary Stroke Center Certification from the Joint Commission

BECKLEY, W.Va. (Nov. 9, 2023) Raleigh General Hospital, has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Center Certification.

Raleigh General Hospital underwent a rigorous, onsite review on September 15, 2023, as part of the process to achieve the recertification. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including timeliness of stroke treatment, compliance with established stroke care guidelines, and stroke center organization and protocols. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

Certification means that Raleigh General has demonstrated a commitment to providing the highest quality care when evaluated against meticulous standards of performance for stroke. Adhering to national standards and guidelines can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients.

“The Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” said Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Raleigh General for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”

Stroke is a leading cause of death and serious long-term disability for Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021, one in six deaths from cardiovascular disease was due to stroke. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3 minutes and 14 seconds in the United States. In 2022, 400 stroke patients were admitted to Raleigh General Hospital.

“Caring for stroke patients is a multidisciplinary effort that must be carefully orchestrated to achieve efficiency in time-sensitive situations as well as in-hospital care and discharge planning,” said Harley Manuel, Stroke Coordinator, Raleigh General.  “This certification is a testament to our hardworking staff and providers who continually provide the highest quality care to every patient that comes through our doors. We are proud to say that more than 60 percent of our stroke patients go home and the majority of the remaining patients need a short stay in a rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility.”

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or severely decreased, which deprives the brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die within minutes of a stroke. The symptoms of a stroke are distinct because they happen suddenly. Call 911 if you or someone you know experience any of the following symptoms:

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
• Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Severe headache with no known cause

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 guidelines for stroke care.

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