Certification from the Joint Commission

San Francisco, March 12, 2008 – Saint Francis Memorial Hospital has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers. Saint Francis earned this distinction after the Joint Commission conducted an on-site review on March 10, 2008.

“Saint Francis demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients,” says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.

Each year about 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation’s third leading cause of death. On average, someone suffers a stroke ever 45 second 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.

“We’re proud to achieve the distinction,” says Thomas Hennessy, President/CEO. “Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes Saint Francis Memorial Hospital’s commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community. This award provides continuity of care for our patients along with our Acute Rehabilitation Center’s stroke certification in rehabilitation.”

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. Learn more about the Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.