DNV Primary Stroke Center Certification Achieved by Rogue Valley Medical Center

March 1, 2011 - PRLog -- MEDFORD, Ore.,--Rogue Valley Medical Center recently earned Primary Stroke Center certification from DNV (Det Norske Veritas), a hospital accreditation organization with some of the toughest standards in healthcare.

The certification means the Rogue Valley Medical Center stroke response staff are following the best methods to fast-track patients suspected of stroke so that doctors can begin brain-saving treatments immediately.

“Primary Stroke Center certified hospitals have better outcomes than non-certified hospitals,” said neurologist Walter G. Carlini, MD, medical director of the stroke center at Rogue Valley Medical Center.

Research has shown that stroke patients treated at Primary Stroke Centers have better outcomes. This is the result of stroke centers using scientifically proven methods to guide the treatment of their stroke patients.

Only 36 percent of Americans live near a hospital designated as a stroke center. In Oregon only Rogue Valley Medical Center has met the stringent stroke care standards of DNV.

The hospital switched from JACHO accreditation to DNV.

“Switching to DNV has helped us achieve the highest standards in stroke patient care,” said Charity Barrueta, RVMC stroke program coordinator.  “Our neurology specialists and staff have the expertise and training to treat most patients right here in Medford.”

At RVMC, every stroke patient gets a CT scan of the brain and laboratory tests as soon as they arrive at the hospital so doctors may determine what kind of stroke the patient is having.

If a stroke patient arrives to the hospital within three hours of the onset of symptoms, patients may qualify to receive a medication called tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), which can halt damage by dissolving the blood clots that are causing the stroke.

If doctors give the patient tPA, he or she will spend the first 24 hours in the intensive care unit so nurses can monitor the patient carefully.

After the three-hour mark, tPA is not beneficial however there are other treatments that can improve outcomes.

WARNING SIGNS OF STROKE

The stroke care team at RVMC wants you to know the warning signs of stroke and what you should do in the event of a stroke.

A good way to remember the warning signs of stroke is FAST
F – Face numbness or weakness on one side of body
A – Arm numbness or weakness on one side of body
S – Speech slurred or difficulty speaking or understanding
T – Time to immediately call 911

For more information, visit http://www.rvmc.org, keyword: stroke.

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Asante Health System is a non-profit organization providing advanced medical care to over 550,000 people in Southern Oregon and Northern California. It includes Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford and Three Rivers Community Hospital in Grants Pass.