Volume 7 Issue 19 September 21, 2012
PRESBYbulletin Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
TJC CERTIFIES PPMC AS The Joint Commission recently certified Penn Presbyterian Medical Center as a Primary Stroke Center (PSC), a designation that recognizes the Hospital’s special expertise in caring for patients with acute stroke. This action by TJC, in conjunction with its certification of Pennsylvania Hospital and previous certification of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania makes Penn Medicine the first Philadelphia health system to have all of its member hospitals certified in this way. The importance of this achievement cannot be overstated, since the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Emergency Medical Services announced last year that EMS ambulances would start bringing patients suspected of having a stroke only to certified PSC’s rather than the closest hospital.
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To be certified as a stroke center is acknowledgement by the outside world that the work we do for our patients here at Presby is outstanding and on the cutting edge.
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“Being recognized and certified as a Primary Stroke Center is an important step for Penn Presbyterian. It further cements our status as a hospital that is providing evidence-based standard of care for our patients,” said Kevin Fosnocht, MD, chief medical officer at Penn Presbyterian. “Additionally, studies show that patients who are treated for stroke at a certified PSC have reduced long-term disabilities and overall health care costs. We’re proud to be recognized as an institution that delivers that superior level of care.” Stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly interrupted due to a blockage of an artery (ischemic stroke) or when an artery in the brain bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). Symptoms of acute stroke include sudden loss of strength (usually on one side of the body), sudden loss of or change in the ability to speak, sudden loss of vision or sudden change in sensation. Strokes are more likely to occur in people with stroke “risk factors,” the most important being high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and a smoking habit. Acute stroke is a medical emergency, and anyone experiencing the symptoms of a stroke should call 911 to be taken to the emergency department of a PSC designated hospital. Just as chest pain is a classic symptom of “heart attack.” About 795,000 strokes occur annually in the US, making stroke the leading cause of adult disability at an annual cost of $68 billion. (continued on back)
Green Block Build Please join volunteers from PPMC and Rebuilding Together Philadelphia - the nation’s leading nonprofit organization that provides critical home repairs, modifications and improvements for Amer Am eric ica’ a s lo loww in inco come me hom omeo eown wner erss – at a community event in the Belmont Neig Ne ighb hbor orho hood od of We West st Phi hila lade delp lphi hia. a. Memb Me mber erss fr from om PPM PMC’ C s Pa Patitien entt an andd Family Education Committee will host a table at the event to inform the comm co mmun unitityy ab abou outt st stro roke ke sig igns ns and syymp ptoms,, and what to do if someone is exhibiting these symptoms. Other actitivi ac vitities es inc nclu lude de ins nstr truc uctition onss on how to administer hands-only CPR, and a video demonstration. When: Saturday, September 29, 2012 Where: 860 N. Holly Street, Philadelphia PA 19104 (The neighborhood is adjacent to PPMC) Hours: 11am to 4pm (Set up begins at 10:45am) For more information about opportunities to volunteer at the event, or to RSVP, please contact Jennifer Marcellus, BSN, RN, PCCN att 21 2155.66 6622.91 9153 53 or jennif ifer.marcell llus@ @uphs.upenn. h edu. d