Rockdale Medical Center recently earned a high certification for stroke treatment from The Joint Commission, the organization that accredits hospitals.
“In achieving Joint Commission advanced certification, Rockdale Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its stroke patients,” said Jean Range, executive director of The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification, in a press release. “Certification is a voluntary process and The Joint Commission commends Rockdale Medical Center for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”
The Joint Commission recognized RMC with Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. Achievement of Primary Stroke Center Certification signifies an organization’s dedication to fostering better outcomes for patients. Rockdale Medical Center’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.
RMC underwent a rigorous on-site review last month. A Joint Commission expert reviewed RMC’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.
Developed in collaboration with the American Stroke Association and launched in 2003, The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification program is based on the Brain Attack Coalition’s “Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers.” Certification is available only to stroke programs in Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals.
“Rockdale Medical Center is thoroughly committed to providing our patients the highest quality stroke care centered on current scientific research to ensure continued improvement in treatment,” said RMC CEO Deborah Armstrong in a press release. “In addition to our The Joint Commission accreditation, the Primary Stroke Center Certification has given us the opportunity to highlight the exceptional stroke care we provide for our patients, and help us improve care overall for our community.”
“The ability to provide excellent care is a result of outstanding teamwork,” Armstrong said. “Under the direction of Dr. Brian Riggeal, Neurologist/Stroke Program Director, and Emergency Department Director/Stroke Coordinator, Karen Young, R.N., an in-house stroke team, made up of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, rehabilitation therapists and case managers, collaborated on patient care throughout the treatment process.”
“I also want to acknowledge the commitment of our partner, National EMS, for their role in helping Rockdale Medical Center to achieve Primary Stroke Certification,” Armstrong said. “Many times they are the first line of patient care and are able to identify a stroke, or stroke symptoms, while in the field. Having this information before the patient arrives at the hospital mean our Emergency Department personnel save valuable minutes in treatment time.”
RMC will be able to display The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval, their Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. Displaying the seal signifies that RMC is providing the “next generation of stroke care,” and will help patients easily identify this facility as one of quality that has surpassed numerous goals in the treatment of stroke.
RMC is a 138-bed acute-care hospital at 1412 Milstead Ave. in Conyers.
