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January 15, 2010
by marketing
Services
PASCO REGIONAL
MEDICAL CENTER
RECEIVES PRIMARY STROKE CENTER DESIGNATION
DADE CITY, FLA., (January
14, 2010) – Today, the Florida Agency
for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) designated Pasco Regional Medical
Center (PRMC) as a Primary
Stroke Center. PRMC is the first and only hospital in East Pasco to earn the primary stroke center designation.
The rigorous set of criteria AHCA
uses in evaluating hospitals for primary stroke center designation includes the
criteria set by the Joint Commission for its national designation.
“This designation recognizes that
our hospital and staff have the advanced technologies, protocols and
capabilities for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients,”
explains PRMC Chief Executive Officer Stan Holm. “We are pleased to announce this designation
because it is another example of Pasco Regional partnering with our fire rescue
teams and physicians to better serve our patients. We are committed to our vision of being the
quality leader and touching the lives of those we serve.”
Pasco Regional
Medical Center
also participates in the Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) program, an
evidence-based program for hospital quality improvement. GWTG puts the expertise of the American Heart
Association and the American Stroke Association to work for hospitals by
ensuring that the care they provide to coronary artery disease, stroke and
heart failure patients aligns with the latest scientific guidelines.
According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is
the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause
of adult disability. It can happen to
anyone, regardless of age, gender or race.
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies oxygen to the brain
bursts or is blocked. The deprivation of
oxygen causes nerve cells in the affected area of the brain to die within
minutes.
“Every second counts in the diagnosis and treatment of a
stroke,” explains Neurologist Dr. Allauddin Khan (M.D.), PRMC Primary Stroke
Center Medical Director. “Restoring the
supply of oxygen to the brain quickly is vital to protecting the patient and
minimizes the long-term effects of a stroke.”
Time is of the essence because an estimated two million
brain cells die each minute that the brain is deprived of oxygen – and when
brain cells can’t work, the part of the body they control can’t work either.
The debilitating effects of stroke are often permanent, because dead brain
cells aren’t replaced. The American
Stroke Association reminds the public, if you think someone is having a stroke,
‘Think Fast’ and look for these physical symptoms:
Face - facial numbness, uneven smile or
droopiness (especially on only one side)
Arm - arm or leg numbness, weakness or
an inability to walk
Speech - sudden speech impairments,
slurring or the inability to speak or understand
Time – Time is critical. Call 911 to ensure your loved one receives
immediate medical attention.
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