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Mountain Vista Medical Center Receives National Primary Stroke Center Certification from DNV (Det Norske Veritas) Healthcare
Full-service medical center continues to expand high acuity services to the community
July 28, 2011
Each year, almost 800,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation's third leading cause of death, according to the American Stroke Association. Mountain Vista Medical Center (MVMC) received its national Primary Stroke Center certification from DNV Healthcare - just five months after receiving Level IV Trauma Center designation from the Arizona Department of Health Services. The Stroke Center certification means that the stroke response staff at MVMC follows the requirements and protocols that have been established by the Guidelines of the Brain Attack Coalition and recommendations of the American Stroke Association to care for stroke patients. Such guidelines include following the required methods to fast-track patients suspected of stroke so that physicians on the medical staff can begin brain-saving treatments immediately.
“There is a three-hour window that stroke victims have that can mean the difference between recovery and death, or long-term disability,” says Jim Prohaska, RN, stroke coordinator, Emergency Services, Mountain Vista Medical Center. “We have been working diligently to receive this certification and we have everything in place to provide the immediate level of care that stroke victims require. Hospitals with the Primary Stroke Center certification have better outcomes than non-certified hospitals – this is because as a Stroke Center we use scientifically proven, evidence-based methods to guide the treatment of stroke patients.”
As a Primary Stroke Center, if a stroke patient arrives at Mountain Vista within the three-hour window 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 a physician on the medical staff gives the patient tPA, he or she will spend the first 24 hours in the Intensive Care Unit for continuous monitoring. After the three-hour mark, tPA is not beneficial - however, there are other treatment options that can improve outcomes.
“Receiving our Stroke Center and Level IV Trauma Center designations this year is a tremendous accomplishment for Mountain Vista and the communities we serve,” says Tony Marinello, CEO, Mountain Vista Medical Center. “We are committed to providing high quality health care services for any type of need - whether it's a broken bone or heart surgery. There is a need for this level of health care in the East Valley and we are proud to be able to provide this to our community.”
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