Baptist Health's Primary Stroke Centers Earn a Perfect Score at Recertification Visit
Jacksonville, Florida, February 3, 2011 -- Baptist Medical Center Downtown and Baptist Medical Center South earned a perfect score from The Joint Commission on their recent Primary Stroke Center Recertification survey.
The surveyor was impressed with the leadership and staff, as well as the care provided to stroke patients and their families. There were no recommendations for improvement in any areas of the program.
"I am delighted that The Joint Commission surveyor was so impressed with our program. It is a true testament to the excellent teamwork at Baptist," said Sean Orr, MD, who leads the Baptist Stroke Center team. Dr. Orr is a board-certified neurologist with Baptist Neurology who specializes in stroke care and research.
The Acute Stroke Team at Baptist includes emergency medicine physicians, neurologists, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons, registered nurses, rehabilitation specialists and social services staff.
"The knowledge of our staff related to the care and management of stroke patients was very evident to our surveyor. They are why we had such a successful survey," said Doreen Donohue, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, who provides leadership for the Stroke Center at Baptist Medical Center Downtown as director of Ortho/Neuro/Clinical Quality and Education.
"There are many people involved with the care of Baptist stroke patients who have developed a cohesive team across Baptist Health," said Lucinda Deputy, who provides leadership for the Stroke Center at Baptist Medical Center South as director of Women's Services, the Intensive Care Unit, Progressive Care and Labor/Deliver/Recovery/Postpartum.
The Baptist Stroke Centers at Baptist Medical Center Downtown and Baptist Medical Center South have been certified by The Joint Commission as Primary Stroke Centers since 2007. The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval demonstrates that the Baptist Stroke Centers apply evidence-based protocols to diagnosing and treating stroke that have been shown to improve patient outcomes.
By law, Florida's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel are directed to transport patients presenting with acute stroke symptoms to designated stroke centers. An important facet of Baptist's Primary Stroke Centers is their focus on community education and prevention of this potentially debilitating disease.
Do you know the warning signs of stroke?
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
