Covenant Health Hospitals Receive Advanced Stroke Certifications

Covenant Health, the region’s only stroke hospital network, is pleased to announce several advanced stroke certifications from The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville has received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’ Heart-Check Mark in conjunction with renewal of the hospital’s Advanced Certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. The designation means that Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center continues to be part of an elite group of providers focused on complex and highly specialized stroke care. 

Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification recognizes hospitals that have the infrastructure, staff and training to receive and treat patients with the most complex strokes. Requirements include advanced imaging capabilities, 24/7 availability of specialized treatment including medications and intervention procedures, and staff who are specially trained to care for complex stroke patients. Fort Sanders Regional has been certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center since 2013. With additional accreditations for stroke rehabilitation at the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, Fort Sanders Regional is the area’s only comprehensive stroke and rehabilitation center.

In addition, three Covenant Health hospitals received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. LeConte Medical Center in Sevierville received re-certification as a primary stroke center.  Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville and Fort Loudoun Medical Center in Lenoir City also have received primary stroke center recognition.

All the hospitals underwent rigorous onsite reviews earlier this year. Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements, including program management, the delivery of clinical care and performance improvement.

“We are very pleased that several of Covenant Health’s member hospitals have received advanced certifications for stroke care,” said Jim VanderSteeg, president and CEO. “Our stroke hospital network provides convenient local resources for stroke care in the communities we serve, and primary stroke certification is an affirmation of our hospitals’ commitment to patients who experience stroke. The network also provides East Tennesseans with access to the advanced technology and innovative treatments provided by our comprehensive stroke team.”

“We congratulate Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, LeConte Medical Center, Parkwest Medical Center and Fort Loudoun Medical Center for receiving these designations,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. “Covenant Health and its member hospitals have clearly made it a priority to deliver high quality care to all patients affected by stroke.”

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds.

To learn more about Covenant Health’s commitment to excellence in stroke care, visit http://www.covenanthealth.com/strokenetwork

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