HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Oct. 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Monday, October 26th, the Women's Choice Award®, a trusted referral source for women, released a USA Today announcement honoring America's Best Hospital's for Stroke Care in an effort to further support the "I am Woman" campaign by the World Stroke Organization. The recent announcement encourages women to take an active role in their health, in hopes of preventing a potential stroke.
"At the Women's Choice Award, we value organizations that empower women to make the best healthcare choices because when seconds count, choosing the best hospital can save her life," said Delia Passi, CEO and Founder of the Women's Choice Award.
In a 2015 survey conducted by the Women's Choice Award, comprised of female responses from across the country, 50% of women indicated that they knew the basic symptoms of stroke while the other 50% did not. According to the National Stroke Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death for women and each year, 55,000 more women have a stroke than men. Furthermore, it's been reported by the National Stroke Association that women have unique symptoms, which are often not recognized as a stroke and can delay proper treatment.
"It's important for women to know their risk factors and basic stroke symptoms. That is why acronyms like F.A.S.T. from the American Stroke Association are helpful in educating women, who are the Chief Health Officers for their families," added Passi.
In an effort to help women identify the best hospitals for stroke care, the Women's Choice Award partnered with the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to identify America's 50 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care and America's Best Stroke Centers across the nation. The process begins with identifying those hospitals that are certified by the Joint Commission.
Hospitals earning the America's 50 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care Award must be certified as an advanced primary stroke center or advanced comprehensive stroke center by the Joint Commission. Then they must meet clinical and patient level data that qualifies them as clinically excellent with high patient recommendations. This award is unique in that it is the only national award that is evidence based and focuses on patient
In order to be eligible for the America's Best Stroke Centers Award, hospitals must have received the Joint Commission/American Heart Association Advanced Primary or Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification. The Stroke Center Certification recognizes centers that meet high standards for stroke care as determined by the Joint Commission. To receive advanced certification, Stroke Centers must have met disease-specific requirements, clinically specific requirements and expectations which include:
- Using a standardized method of delivering care
- Supporting patient self-management activities
- Tailoring treatment and intervention to individual needs
- Promoting the flow of patient information across settings and providers, while protecting patient rights, security and privacy
- Analyzing and using standardized performance measure data to continually improve treatment plans
- Demonstrating their application of and compliance with clinical practice guidelines published by the AHA/ASA or equivalent evidence-based guidelines
In addition, publicly available data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) patient recommendation ratings were included when assessing each hospital's overall performance. The Women's Choice Award seal is the only credential that integrates clinical excellence (CMS) and consumer experience.
"By adhering to this very specific set of treatment guidelines these recognized hospitals have clearly made it a priority to deliver high quality care to all patients affected by stroke," states Nancy Brown, CEO AHA/ASA.
Baptist Health Paducah, Paducah (KY)
Baptist Medical Center, Jacksonville (FL)
Baptist Medical Center South, Jacksonville (FL)
Broward Health Imperial Point, Ft. Lauderdale (FL)
Broward Health North, Deerfield Beach (FL)
Catawba Valley Medical Center, Hickory (NC)
Genesis Medical Center, Davenport (IA) – 50 BEST
Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck (NJ)
Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, Elkin (NC)
Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center, Antioch (CA)
Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center, Baldwin Park (CA)
Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center, Downey (CA)
Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center, San Rafael (CA)
Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center, Santa Rosa (CA)
Lafayette General Medical Center, Lafayette (LA)
Little Company of Mary Hospital's Primary Stroke Center, Evergreen Park (IL) – 50 BEST
Mobile Infirmary, Mobile (AL)
North Cypress Medical Center, Cypress (TX)
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rockford (IL)
Parkview Medical Center, Pueblo (CO)
Rose Medical Center, Denver (CO)
San Antonio Regional Hospital, Upland (CA) – 50 BEST
South County Hospital, Wakefield (RI) – 50 BEST
South Georgia Medical Center's Code Stroke Program, Valdosta (GA) – 50 BEST
St. Luke's Hospital, Chesterfield (MO)
Stamford Hospital, Stamford (CT)
Swedish Medical Center, Englewood (CO)
UAMS Medical Center at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock (AR)
White Memorial Medical Center, Los Angeles (CA) – 50 BEST
50 Best indicates receipt of the 2015 America's 50 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care Award. For a complete listing of awarded hospitals, visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com/awarded/healthcare/.For additional resources and helpful tips, visit http://www.strokeassociation.org/.
ABOUT THE WOMEN'S CHOICE AWARD®
The Women's Choice Award® sets the standard for helping women make smart choices through education, empowerment, and validation. Awards are determined by evidence-based research and identify the brands, products and services most recommended and trusted by women. Visit www.WomensChoiceAward.com to learn more.