Celebrate National Stroke Month with Navicent Health
Navicent Health invites the community to observe National Stroke Month during May by learning to recognize and react to the signs of stroke.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stroke takes the lives of approximately 140,000 American each year, or an estimated 1 in 20 deaths. It is also the leading cause of serious, long-term disability. On average, 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year, and stroke prevalence is projected to increase by 20.5 percent by 2030.
“On average, someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds, and only 38 percent of Americans are aware of all major symptoms and know to call 9-1-1 when someone is having a stroke. Central Georgians are at an increased risk for stroke due to the prevalence of common risk factors that include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and tobacco use. At Navicent Health, our desire is to educate the public so that they minimize their risk for stroke, and also recognize a stroke when it occurs,” said Denise Goings, MSN, RN, SCRN, Stroke Coordinator for The Medical Center, Navicent Health (MCNH).
Clinicians at Navicent Health remind the public to act FAST if they experience any of these signs or symptoms.
· F – Facial weakness (Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?)
· A – Arm or leg weakness (Can the person raise both arms?)
· S – Speech difficulty (Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?)
· T – Time to act (Seek medical attention immediately!)
MCNH, along with other American Heart Association (AHA) designated stroke centers throughout Georgia, is committed to reducing strokes impact by 20 percent by 2020.
MCNH is an eight-time recipient of AHA’s “Get With the Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus” Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes MCNH’s commitment to quality care for stroke patients, and success in implementing an exemplary standard of care for stroke patients, according to evidence-based guidelines. In addition, MCNH has also achieved AHA’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus for increasing the number of eligible ischemic stroke patients who receive tissue plasminogen activatorin in 45 minutes or less from arriving at the hospital (known as ‘door-to-needle’ time).
“The number of acute ischemic stroke patients eligible for treatment is expected to grow over the next decade due to increasing stroke incidence and a large aging population. At Navicent Health, we will continue to educate the public in order to minimize stroke’s threat, and we will continue to quickly and efficiently treat stroke patients with evidence-based protocols,” said Tom Oliver, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for MCNH.
About Navicent Health
Navicent Health, the leading provider of healthcare in central and south Georgia, is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Providing more than 1,000 beds and offering care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region, Navicent Health provides care for healthcare consumers’ through an academic medical center; community, pediatric and rehabilitation hospitals; urgent care centers; physician practices; diagnostic centers; home health; hospice and palliative care; and a life plan community. Navicent Health is dedicated enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally-recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. For more information, please visitwww.navicenthealth.org.
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