MOBILE – The University of South Alabama Medical Center has become the first hospital in Mobile to earn Primary Stroke Center certification from the Joint Commission, the nation’s predominant health care standards-setting and accrediting body. The certification recognizes USA Medical Center’s efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care and confirms USA Medical Center has the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving stroke outcomes.

"The Primary Stroke Center certification confirms to our community that we provide the highest level of care for patients with stroke," said Richard Zweifler, M.D., medical director of the Stroke Center at USA Medical Center and professor of neurology in the USA College of Medicine. “To achieve this certification, USA Medical Center organized a multidisciplinary stroke team of physicians, nurses and therapists to plan, implement, monitor and improve the care of patients who suffer from stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases.”

USA’s stroke team includes three board-certified neurologists, one of whom is always available to treat patients who present at USA Medical Center with stroke symptoms. “The stroke team collaborates with emergency medical services, regional emergency rooms and the community to ensure prompt identification of symptoms and implementation of treatment interventions with the goal of reducing the long-term impact of stroke,” Zweifler said.

The certification was earned following a rigorous, on-site review in July of USA Medical Center procedures, policies, charts, electronic records, facilities, staff and patients. There are 58 elements of requirements and 11 national patient safety goals, and the USA Medical Center met them all.

Every 45 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. It is the third leading cause of death and the number one cause of disability in the United States. More than two-thirds of stroke survivors will be left with some kind of disability.

“Many of our patients did not know how important it was to get to the hospital immediately to receive treatment because they simply didn't know they were having a stroke,” Sharon Ezelle, case management/social services director at USA Medical Center, said.

Stroke symptoms can vary, depending on the part of the brain that has been affected. There are several symptoms of stroke, including:
• 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

“The window for treatment is relatively small,” Ezelle said. “Early recognition of a stroke is critical, along with coming to a treatment facility such as USA Medical Center that understands the importance of expedient diagnosis so that appropriate treatment can be given.”

The Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. USA Medical Center is only the second hospital in Alabama to earn the Primary Stroke Center certification. The Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center certification program was developed in collaboration with the American Stroke Association. It is based on the Brain Attack Coalition's "Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers.”

For additional information, please call the USA Stroke Center at 470-5801.