Brunswick, ME – The Joint Commission, in conjunction with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, has recertified Mid Coast Hospital with Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers<http://www.jointcommission.org/certification/primary_stroke_centers.aspx>. The certification demonstrates the hospital’s ability to provide the highest level of care to ensure the best possible outcome.

Mid Coast Hospital was first recognized as a Primary Stroke Center in 2012 and undergoes rigorous onsite reviews every two years. At the most recent review in August 2018, Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements, including program management, the delivery of clinical care, and performance improvement.

“We congratulate Mid Coast Hospital for achieving this designation,” said Nancy Brown, CEO, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. “By adhering to this very specific set of treatment guidelines, Mid Coast Hospital has clearly made it a priority to deliver high-quality care.”

“Mid Coast Hospital is committed to delivering outstanding healthcare in our community,” said Lois Skillings, President and CEO of Mid Coast–Parkview Health. “The certification provides us with the opportunity to highlight the exceptional stroke care we provide, as well as our strong clinical affiliation with Maine Medical Center, providing consultations, shared resources and knowledge, and expedited access for tertiary care when needed.”

Maine Medical Center is part of an elite group of healthcare organizations—and the only one in the state of Maine—to earn the highest level of stroke certification by being named a Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Stroke is the number four 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; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

Mid Coast Hospital encourages individuals to learn the risk factors associated with stroke, recognize the warning signs and symptoms, and on first sign of a stroke, dial 9-1-1 immediately. Warning signs and symptoms of stroke include face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body), sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination, and sudden severe headache with no known cause.
“It is essential for as many people as possible to know the signs and symptoms of stroke. New and effective treatments have been developed to treat and minimize the severity and damaging effect of strokes when administered in the early hours,” said John Taylor, DO, a neurologist with Mid Coast Medical Group–Neurology and the Medical Director of Mid Coast Hospital’s stroke program. “Our community can feel comforted knowing that Mid Coast Hospital provides high-level care for stroke patients right here, close to home.”

Learn more about Mid Coast Hospital’s excellence in stroke care at www.midcoasthealth.com/stroke<http://www.midcoasthealth.com/stroke>.