Monday, January 15, 2024
Norman Regional Health System has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Primary Stroke Center Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects Norman Regional’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.
Norman Regional’s Stroke Center underwent a rigorous, onsite review in late 2023. The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help healthcare organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
“Through collaborating on innovative solutions and evidence-based resources and tools, The Joint Commission helps drive improvement while maintaining accountability through our leading survey methods and standards. We commend Norman Regional for its commitment to advance safety, quality, equity and compassion for all patients,” stated Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission.
“In Cleveland County, stroke is the number one cause of disability and one of the top ten causes of death for people aged 45 and older. Norman Regional has recently been recertified as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission, continuing their 16-year commitment to providing the highest quality of care to the stroke patients in Norman and the surrounding areas,” stated Brandon Byrd, RN and Stroke Program Quality Administrator for Norman Regional.
Brandon continued, “The Stroke Center of Excellence at Norman Regional collaborates with multiple disciplines and community partners on a daily basis to ensure the highest level of care, stroke prevention and education for our patients and the community.”
Norman Regional has been a stroke center of excellence from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers since 2008. Norman Regional’s Stroke Center has also been awarded the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Achievement Awards as well as the Women’s Choice Award for one of America’s Best Stroke Centers since 2017.
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of a stroke. An easy way to remember the signs of stroke and what to do if you suspect someone is having a stroke is BEFAST.
Balance: Sudden loss of balance (dizziness/not able to walk straight).
Eyes: Sudden vision changes (double vision or loss of vision in one eye).
Face: Is one side of the person's face drooping?
Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Is the person's speech slurred or strange?
Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately.
For more information, please visit our website’s stroke center which includes the Stroke Education Book that is handed out to stroke patients upon discharge and was a resource that our most recent Joint Commission accreditation team pointed out as a differentiating factor at our health system.