Providence Honored for Excellence in Stroke Care 10 Consecutive Years

July 11, 2019 Providence News Team

Spokane, WA—Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital was recognized for the tenth consecutive year with American Heart Association / American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. This designation is the highest level of achievement.

“Being honored for providing quality stroke care is the best recognition a hospital can receive,” said Ken Isaacs, M.D., regional medical director of Providence Spokane Neuroscience Institute. “This recognizes our commitment to provide a higher standard of comprehensive, coordinated stroke care—from prevention and diagnosis through treatment and rehabilitation.”

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center also received the association’s Target: StrokeSM Elite Plus award, recognizing the hospital’s consistently reduced times between a stroke patient’s arrival and treatment. The hospital has the lowest arrival to treatment times in the region and one of the lowest in the state of Washington.

“We applaud our first responder partners and rural hospitals in the community,” said Dr. Isaacs. “They are the first link for our patients to receive the emergent care that is so important to treating stroke.”

Patients experience integrated, connected stroke care beginning with first responders and more than a dozen rural hospitals connected via telestroke to Providence Health Care. In-house neurohospitalists provide 24/7 coverage in the emergency department. Board-certified neurologists, neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons, neurointerventionalists, neuroradiologists, specially trained nurses and therapists provide specialty, expert care. This concentration of resources and expertise illustrates why Sacred Heart is the region’s leader in stroke intervention and care.

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the United States. When treating a stroke, “time is brain,” which means the more immediate the treatment, the less damage to the brain from the stroke.

Spot signs of stroke

Use the letters in "F.A.S.T." to spot signs of stroke and know when to call 9-1-1.

  • Face Drooping. Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven or lopsided?
  • Arm Weakness. Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • Speech. Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.
  • Time to Call 9-1-1. If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

About the Author

The Providence News Team brings you the updates to keep you informed about what's happening across the organizational ecosystem. From partnerships to new doctor announcements, we are committed to keeping you informed.

More Content by Providence News Team
Previous Article
Washington - "There is a lot of love."
Washington - "There is a lot of love."

The Providence Supportive Housing Program provides permanent, affordable and safe housing for more than 950...

Next Article
Washington - A new approach to serving Olympia’s homeless
Washington - A new approach to serving Olympia’s homeless

PCCC is a central hub for people who lack a stable home to request housing and hygiene services, primary ca...