ST. MARYS — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services deeming authority, Det Norske Veritas (DNV), has issued the Acute Stroke Ready Certification to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital on May 13, 2015. Joint Township Hospital is the first in the Nation to receive this designation.

“It is a tremendous honor to have been issued the Acute Stroke Ready Certification. This is a true reflection of the Neurologic care that is available here at Joint Township Hospital” said Medical Director Natasha Alexander D.O., Neurology. The staff has achieved a high level of competency and training to respond efficiently and effectively in a stroke situation.

The Acute Stroke Ready (ASR) Certification Program is designed to be a part of a larger stroke system of care which will include all levels of stroke care. The stroke-ready certification means that a hospital is equipped to evaluate, stabilize and provide emergency care to patients with acute stroke symptoms. The intent of the ASR is to provide initial diagnostic services, stabilization, emergent care and therapies to patients with an acute stroke who are seen in the emergency department. An ASR hospital has the ability and the capability to provide care for an acute stroke, including the administration of a “clot buster” or intravenous thrombolytic therapy injection.

Joint Township Hospital’s stroke program includes 24/7 emergency stroke service coverage, collaboration with EMS to improve pre-hospital stroke care, stroke alert protocols, multidisciplinary team response for all stroke alerts and streamlined transfer of patients to a comprehensive or primary stroke center. The stroke program also includes a vast community education program that is supported by the community outreach department. The community education program includes blood pressure monitoring and education on identifying stroke using the FAST method (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911).