Every hour in Illinois, approximately five people die from heart disease, stroke or other cardiovascular disease, according to the Illinois Public of Health Department. With stroke as the third leading cause of death and a major cause of disability, time is critical when you or a loved one experiences stroke symptoms. Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers, meaning the Medical Center has been distinguished as an expert provider for emergent stroke care. The distinction comes following an on-site review in June and after many years of diligent preparation.

“Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients,” says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.

The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Certification program – the nation’s first - was developed in 2003 with collaboration from the American Stroke Association, and is based on recommendations from the Brain Attack Coalition. This Certification is one of seven advanced programs The Joint Commission offers and requires certified hospitals to meet the requirements for Disease-Specific Care Certification plus additional, clinically-specific requirements and expectations.

“We’re very proud to achieve the distinction,” says Jeffrey L. Brickman, FACHE, System Senior Vice President, President and CEO of Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. “Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center’s commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community. As recently as five years ago, stroke patients and others in need of critical neurosurgical care in our area were forced to go elsewhere for treatment. Since then, our team of exceptional physicians and nurses have brought not only life saving services back to the area, but done so in such a high-quality way that our program boasts some of the most advanced capabilities available in the entire county and has been recognized for excellence.”

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center’s multi-specialty neurosurgeons and clinical care teams diagnose and treat central nervous system disorders including head and spinal cord injuries, epilepsy, strokes, tumors, aneurysms and multiple sclerosis. The Medical Center’s affiliation with the University of Illinois at Chicago allowed reinstatement of 24/7 neurosurgery coverage to Will County, which includes comprehensive services like state-of-the-art biplane technology for stroke treatment, as well as rehabilitation and support groups to ensure a return to functional lifestyle.

To become a Primary Stroke Center, extensive preparation was done to provide the necessary documentation for reviewers, who reviewed the structure of the Medical Center’s stroke program, its current stroke patients and the care provided to them, use of data and the competencies of staff and licensed independent practitioners. Reviewers then assessed three main areas, including compliance with consensus-based national standards and safety goals, effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care, and an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement. Certification is awarded for a two-year period.

“Evidence is showing that Primary Stroke Center Hospitals have better outcomes,” says Leslie Barna, RN, MSN, CNRN, Neuro/Stroke Program Coordinator at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. “Our 24/7 Neurosciences program is the only one of its kind in the Will/Grundy area, and this certification only underscores our expertise in providing comprehensive services for those patients requiring emergent stroke care."

Earlier this month, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill that allows for the creation of stroke systems of care in Illinois. The legislation was a result of efforts to reduce the debilitating effects of stroke by getting acute stroke patients to the best care in the shortest amount of time. Under this law, hospitals in Illinois that are capable of providing emergent stroke care will be designated by the Illinois Department of Public Health as Primary Stroke Centers, like Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, or as Emergent Stroke Ready Hospitals. These hospitals will work with local EMS regions and other area hospitals to create regional transport protocols to ensure acute stroke patients get the appropriate care as quickly as possible.

Stroke is a medical emergency. If you notice one or more of the warning signs, call 9-1-1 and get help immediately. Remember you can request that you or a loved one be taken to a Primary Stroke Center like Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center for care. Recognize stroke symptoms FAST:

• Face: uneven smile, facial droop/numbness, vision disturbances
• Arm & leg: weakness, numbness, difficulty walking
• Speech: slurred, inappropriate words, mute
• Time: time is critical, call 9-1-1

Learn more about class offerings to help you detect and prevent stroke.