Flowers Hospital Receives Primary Stroke Certification

DOTHAN, AL (October 1, 2012) – Flowers Hospital recently joined an elite group of healthcare facilities this month when The Joint Commission, in conjunction with The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, recognized Flowers Hospital with Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. Achievement of Primary Stroke Center Certification signifies an organization’s dedication to fostering better outcomes for patients. Flowers Hospital’s Primary Stroke Center Certification has demonstrated that their program meets critical elements of performance to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients. This certification makes Flowers Hospital the first Primary Stroke Center in the Wiregrass area and one of only seven such designated hospitals in the state.

Flowers Hospital underwent a rigorous on-site review in September 2012. A Joint Commission expert reviewed Flowers Hospital’s compliance with the requirements for The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification program as well as primary stroke center requirements, such as collecting Joint Commission core measure data and using it for performance improvement activities.

"In achieving Joint Commission advanced certification, Flowers Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its stroke patients,” says Jean Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q. executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission. “Certification is a voluntary process and The Joint Commission commends Flowers Hospital for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

To earn the certification, a hospital must have a rapid-response stroke team that is specially trained to perform quick neurological assessment, obtain emergent diagnostic testing and deliver treatment based on best-practice guidelines.
 
Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death in the nation and the leading cause of adult disability. Flowers Hospital is committed to improving the outcomes for stroke patients by tailoring treatment to individual needs, investing in new technology and meeting nationally established guidelines.

“This certification recognizes our ability to treat stroke patients quickly and effectively, improving their chances of recovery,” said Stroke Team Coordinator Eddie Clifton, RN. “Our Stroke team focuses on the continuum of care for stroke patients – from outreach education, to emergency intervention, to the acute patient care stay, then onto rehabilitation and finally back to the community.”

Dr. Harry Weiser, Neurosurgeon with Dothan Neuroscience Center, stated, “Flowers Hospital has achieved a unique distinction and as the Medical Director of the Stroke Center, I am very proud of the dedication and professionalism of our physicians and employees who worked hard to achieve this goal.”

Quick diagnosis and treatment greatly improves a patient’s chance of recovery.  Flowers Hospital has been involved in many outreach programs to teach the public how to identify stroke symptoms and the importance of getting to the hospital quickly.

“With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and our Primary Stroke Center Certification demonstrates Flowers Hospital’s commitment to being one of the top hospitals in the nation for providing aggressive, proven stroke care,” said Suzanne Woods, Chief Executive Officer.  

Additional information on stroke and preventative measures can be found on the Flowers Hospital website. For more information on The Joint Commission and American Heart Association’s Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Center visit http://www.jointcommission.org/.