RRMC receives ‘Stroke certification’
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Rapides Regional Medical Center receives ‘Stroke certification’
Alexandria hospital first Certified Advanced Primary Stroke Center in central and north Louisiana
ALEXANDRIA, La., October 19, 2009 – Rapides Regional Medical Center has been named a “Certified Advanced Primary Stroke Center” – and is the only hospital north of Lafayette that holds this Joint Commission certification.
“We’re actually one of only four hospitals in the state and one of 507 in the country with this certification,” said Lynn Randall, RN, BSN, MSN, Rapides Regional Medical Center’s coordinator of CV Quality Initiatives. “The other Louisiana hospitals with stroke accreditation are located in New Orleans, Lafayette and Marrero.”
RRMC received its Stroke Center certification on Oct. 8 following a site visit from The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 17,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States.
“This certification means that we are specialized in stroke care,” Randall said. “We offer a full range of care, from the minute the patient comes through our door to discharge. Our processes are based on all the recommended guidelines for the best possible outcomes.”
RRMC treats approximately 18 stroke patients each month.
As a “Certified Advanced Primary Stroke Center,” Rapides Regional Medical Center provides:
A trained Stroke Team, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to evaluate stroke patients immediately upon arrival.
Immediate evaluation and treatment using an extensive set of guidelines that addresses emergency treatment and ongoing care.
CT scan upon arrival – interpreted within 45 minutes of admission.
Fully functioning laboratory, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to analyze and provide patients’ test results in a timely manner.
Neurosurgeon, if needed.
“We treat ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes and mini-strokes following the same protocol,” Randall said. “We put a purple watch on the wrist of every suspected stroke patient who comes through the door. That watch reminds us that time is especially important when we’re dealing with the patient.”
In addition, RRMC has a designated stroke unit with staff trained specifically to care for those patients.
“This stroke certification is really a fairly new process,” Randall said. “It’s a team effort and it’s always a work in progress. Education is a big part of that.”
The public needs to realize that symptoms such as numbness or weakness on one side of the body, severe headache, loss of balance, dizziness, vision problems or speech problems – all occurring suddenly, without warning – should not be ignored.
“Not all the warning signs occur in every stroke,” said John Giroir Jr., MD, Rapides Regional Medical Center emergency department director. “If you have one or more stroke symptoms that last more than a few minutes, you should seek medical attention right away. The sooner you begin treatment, the better.
“Our Stroke Certification tells the public that if they experience any of these symptoms, Rapides Regional Medical Center has a team of highly skilled medical professionals – from emergency room physicians, neurologists, nurses, laboratory and pharmacy staff and radiologists - all trained to respond quickly and completely to their needs. The sooner you see us, the better.”
