WVU Hospitals Honored for Stroke Care

By Grant Smith, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Mar. 19–People who suffer stroke symptoms within a three-hour radius of Morgantown have a resource for survival and recovery at WVU. And WVU’s work to provide that hope has been recognized — with accreditation of WVU Hospitals as a Primary Stroke Center. But the WVU Stroke Team knew they were good all along. “It validates the hard work that all the people put into this,” said Dr. John Brick, chair of neurology. Members of the stroke team gathered Thursday in the Ruby Memorial Hospital lobby for a press conference announcing the certification, which came on the heels of a January review by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

“This certification is very important to our hospital,” said Dr. David Libell, medical director of the stroke team. “We do offer state-of-the-art stroke care at our hospital.” Charles A. Mowll, executive vice president of the Joint Commission, praised the stroke team in a written statement: “West Virginia University Hospital demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients,” he said. He was not at Thursday’s press conference. Brick took the opportunity Thursday to speak about the dangers of waiting too long to seek medical help after experiencing warning signs of a stroke. The first three hours after symptoms are the most critical, according to the American Stroke Association. “If you have symptoms that might be a stroke, don’t wait — go to the hospital, any hospital, as quick as you can,” Brick said. Symptoms of a stroke include the loss of vision in one eye, difficulty speaking and weakness or numbness in one side of the body, Brick said. Brick said 2 percent to 3 percent of people who could benefit from stroke care, such as WVUH offers, wait too long before going to the hospital.

One person dies from a stroke every 3.1 seconds in the United sates, on average. “We are proud to achieve such a certification,” said Dottie Oakes, vice president and chief nursing executive. “I would like to congratulate the stroke team. The hospital earned this.” The stroke team comprises health-care workers in several WVUH departments. “It involves the entire institution’s commitment to treating strokes,” said Dr. Jeff Carpenter, director of the interventional radiology department. WVUH cared for 919 stroke patients in 2005. “Within those departments, when you drill down, there’s dozens of people,” said Christine Daniels, nursing director for three floor units at Ruby. “It’s very rewarding … to showcase what we do.” And those dozens of people can save lives and prevent brain damage, if stroke patients make it to the hospital on time, Brick said.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

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