Morton Plant Mease's Primary Stroke Centers Receive Re-Certification by Joint Commission

The hospitals of Morton Plant Mease have once again been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval for Primary Stroke Care by the Joint Commission. This re-certification for Morton Plant Mease is the fourth consecutive time recognized as National Level Primary Stroke Centers. The centers are located at Morton Plant in Clearwater, Mease Countryside in Safety Harbor, Mease Dunedin and Morton Plant North Bay in New Port Richey.

"The Gold Seal honor means all four of our hospitals can provide national quality care as the first line of defense for preventing and treating strokes, said Ajay Arora, MD, neurologist and medical director of Morton Plant Mease stroke program. "Because time is so critical, the faster a stroke patient receives treatment, the better the chance is of recovery with minimal side effects to the brain and body." 

The Morton Plant Mease comprehensive stroke care program encompasses neurology, neurosurgery, interventional neuroradiology and stroke rehabilitation. Patients have access to comprehensive prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and leading cause of serious long term disability. Each year, an estimated 800,000 people experience a new or recurring stroke.

To receive the Gold Seal for primary stroke care, Morton Plant Mease underwent an evaluation process that included visits by members of the Joint Commission to the hospitals. The Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association's statements/guidelines for stroke care. The Joint Commission launched the program - the nation's first - in 2003.

About Joint Commission

Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

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