St. Charles hospital recognized for stroke care
The hospital received the program's Silver Award for treating and discharging patients for 12 consecutive months at 85 percent or higher according to the program's guidelines. GWTG is a hospital-based quality-improvement program designed to ensure that hospitals consistently care for stroke patients following the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations. Through the GWTG program, health care provider teams are empowered to consistently treat patients with the most updated treatment guidelines.
St. Joseph Health Center received the initial performance award for the program in December 2006, and then was one of 277 hospitals in the U.S. to be recognized in the July 2, 2007, issue of U.S. News."The fact that there are nearly 250 more hospitals involved in this program than there were last year is a testament to its value," said Sharon Pulver, RN, stroke clinical coordinator at the health center. "Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the country, and we are making a real difference in the lives of our stroke patients - and in our community - through our participation in this program."
Warning signs of stroke include 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; or sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
For more information, visit www.strokassociation.org.
