ROWLETT, TX – (December 2, 2010) – After undergoing an on-site evaluation and demonstrating compliance with nationally developed standards for stroke care, Lake Pointe Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for certification as a Primary Stroke Center.
“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, Lake Pointe Medical Center has proven that it has the ability to provide effective, timely care to stroke victims and can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients.”
Each year about 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation’s third 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.
“Stroke is today what heart attacks were thirty years ago,” explains Dr. Larry Dencklau, Medical Director in the Lake Pointe Medical Center Emergency Department. “The faster a patient gets to a primary stroke center like Lake Pointe Medical Center, the more likely they are to make a significant recovery.”
“We are pleased to have The Joint Commission recognize our commitment to providing outstanding care for stroke victims” say J. Eric Evans, CEO of the Lake Pointe Health Network. “Achieving certification as a Primary Stroke Center furthers Lake Pointe Medical Center’s objective of providing our community convenient access to high quality care that meets or exceeds the most stringent national guidelines.”
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 and guidelines for stroke care. The Joint Commission launched the program—the nation’s first—in 2003. A list of programs certified by The Joint Commission is available at www.qualitycheck.org.
ABOUT THE JOINT COMMISSION
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 18,000 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. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.
ABOUT LAKE POINTE MEDICAL CENTER
Lake Pointe Medical Center is a 112-bed acute care hospital located at 6800 Scenic Drive in Rowlett. Lake Pointe Medical Center has been serving the residents of Rockwall, Rowlett, Royse City and the surrounding communities since 1987. The hospital provides a wide spectrum of medical services, including an emergency department with Fast Track services, a 14-bed intensive care unit, women's services, a Level II and Level III NICU, diagnostic imaging, eight operating rooms and telemetry. With a medical staff of over 400 physicians, Lake Pointe Medical Center provides a number of specialty services, including cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation, vascular surgery, neurosurgery, neurology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, oncology, infectious disease, general surgery, spine surgery, thoracic surgery, ear nose and throat, pulmonary medicine, urology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and neonatal services. Lake Pointe also offers wound care, sleep medicine, physical, occupational and speech therapy as well as pulmonary rehabilitation. The Lake Pointe Urgent Care Center in Rockwall provides quick, convenient care for minor emergencies and illness. The Lake Pointe Imaging Centers in Forney and Rockwall provide extended imaging services to the community. The Lake Pointe Breast Center in Rockwall provides comprehensive breast care to the community. In 2009, the hospital received two designations: a J.D. Power And Associates Distinguished Hospital Program Award for “An Outstanding Patient Experience” for Maternity Services; and two CIGNA Center of Excellence Designations for Laparoscopic Gall Bladder Removal and Vaginal Delivery. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency, licensed by the state of Texas and certified for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. To learn more about Lake Pointe Medical Center, visit www.lakepointemedical.com.