Westlake Designated Stroke Center

7/25/2011 12:00:00 AM

Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park once again earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Advanced Disease-Specific Certification as Primary Stroke Center. Westlake earned this distinction after the Joint Commission conducted an all-day on-site review of the hospitals’ acute stroke program.

“Since 1927, Westlake Hospital has been committed to providing the most advanced care to the communities we are privileged to serve,” says William A. Brown, FACHE, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Westlake Hospital. “Residents of these communities should feel confident knowing that they have access to consistent, high-quality stroke care nearby.”

“We’re proud to achieve this distinction,” added Jane Stenske, R.N., M.S., Chief Nursing Officer, “Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes our commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and communities. A patient with stroke signs and symptoms can be assessed and treated efficiently and effectively at Westlake Hospital with proven, evidence-based medical practices in stroke care.”

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.

U.S. Statistics 

• Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Over 143,579 people die each year from stroke in the United States. 
• Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. 
• Each year, about 795,000 people suffer a stroke. About 600,000 of these are first attacks, and 185,000 are recurrent attacks. 
• Nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65. The risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55.

With these high statistics and need for urgent treatment, it is important for communities to have access to certified Primary Stroke Centers that offer stroke-focused physician assessments, necessary testing and the most advanced treatments, including clot-busting medications and neurointerventional procedures that reduce brain damage that occurs during a stroke.

In addition to caring for those who come to the hospital seeking treatment, Westlake Hospital also focuses on educating the public about the signs and symptoms of a stroke.