In The News
White Memorial Certified As Primary Stroke Center
White Memorial has been certified by The Joint Commission, an independent national accrediting organization, as a Certified Advanced Primary Stroke Center.
This certification means White Memorial provides care that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients. When certification was received Nov. 30, 2009, White Memorial was one of just 11 stroke centers in Los Angeles County, and the only one serving the downtown and East Los Angeles areas. L.A. County ambulances with suspected stroke patients are required to go to facilities certified as a Primary Stroke Center.
“Time becomes a critical factor from the onset of a stroke. That’s why it’s so important to go to a specially designated hospital that is certified to treat strokes,” said Ray Morales MD, White Memorial’s chief medical officer.
White Memorial uses best-practice protocols to diagnose and treat a stroke within three hours of the onset of the patient’s symptoms. Patients who receive treatment within three hours have the best chance of a full recovery from stroke. A neurologist, and a CT scanner or MRI scanner, are available around the clock. Laboratory tests are completed within 45 minutes of being ordered.
Each year about 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation’s third leading cause of death. On average, someone suffers a stroke ever 45 second and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today.
“We’re proud to achieve certification as a Primary Stroke Center,” says Dr. Morales. “It is part of White Memorial’s commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community.”
Posted 12/12/09
