Resurrection Health Care Primary Stroke Care Programs Awarded Re-Certification from The Joint Commission

Five Acute Care Hospitals Across Chicago Offer Advanced Stroke Care, Treatment

CHICAGO, Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When it comes to stroke care, every minute counts. That's why we're proud to announce that The Joint Commission granted all five Resurrection Health Care (RHC) acute care hospitals Recertification as Primary Stroke Centers with the Gold Seal of Approval™.  RHC hospitals received this re-certification after ongoing on-site evaluations and demonstrating compliance with nationally developed standards for stroke care.

"In stroke care time is brain," says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission. "By achieving certification as a Primary Stroke Center, Resurrection Health Care has proven that it has the ability to provide effective, timely care to stroke victims and can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients."

Patients anywhere in the Chicagoland area with stroke signs and symptoms can be assessed and treated efficiently and effectively at any RHC hospital - with the same proven, evidence-based medical practices in stroke care. RHC hospitals certified by The Joint Commission include Saint Joseph Hospital, Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital, Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center and Resurrection Medical Center.

"We're proud to achieve this distinction again from The Joint Commission.  We can really see the difference in patient outcomes since we were first certified in 2009," said Sandy Hoelzel, R.N., Stroke Coordinator, Resurrection Health Care. "This recertification demonstrates our commitment to providing excellent, patient-centric care to everyone in our communities."

Each year about 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation's fourth leading cause of death. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today.

RHC is committed to educating the community about the warning signs of a stroke and the need to call 911 immediately if they or their family member is experiencing difficulty walking, talking, reaching, seeing or a sudden headache.  Visit the stroke section of the RHC website for valuable resources on this important topic.

SOURCE Resurrection Health Care