Primary Stroke Center Designation by The Joint Commission

Gilroy, California November 16, 2011 — Saint Louise Regional Hospital has earned the Certification for Primary Stroke Center from the Joint Commission and is the only designated Primary Stroke Center in South County. The nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care, the Joint Commission awarded the certification after conducting a comprehensive site review on November 11, 2011.

“Saint Louise Regional Hospital demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients,” says Christy Caspar.

Each year approximately 795,000 people will experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the third leading cause of death in America. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability with more than 6 million stroke survivors alive today, affecting 4 out of 5 American families. Stroke can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of race, sex or age.

“This national recognition provides an important, independent evaluation and confirmation of our commitment to excellence,” says Joanne E. Allen, President and CEO of Saint Louise Regional Hospital. “We are proud to be the first designated Primary Stroke Center in South County.”

“Saint Louise Regional Hospital voluntarily pursued this comprehensive review of its stroke program to confirm the success that we are committed in patient care,” says Marilyn Gerrior, Chief Nurse Officer of Saint Louise Regional. “Our stroke program launched in October 2010, Saint Louise and the stroke care team consisting of telemedicine and emergency room physicians, stroke coordinator and nurses focused the entire Hospital on achieving excellent results for our patients.”

Joanne Allen, President and CEO stated, “Receiving this advanced certification and designation as a Primary Stroke Center reflects the success of our approach to multidisciplinary, patient-centered care at Saint Louise and is a wonderful external confirmation of our team environment.”

The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association’s statements/guidelines for stroke care. The Joint Commission launched the program the nation’s first — in 2003. A list of programs certified by the Joint Commission is available at www.jointcommission.org.

For more information about stroke symptoms or prevention, please call Saint Louise Regional Hospital Stroke Coordinator (408) 848-4946.