All Scripps Hospital Campuses Now Primary Stroke Centers

Following a recent survey by the Joint Commission, Scripps Mercy’s Chula Vista campus was certified as a Primary Stroke Center (PSC), marking the first time all Scripps hospital campuses have been so designated.

“Achieving this distinction from the Joint Commission demonstrates Scripps commitment to stringent national quality standards for significantly improving outcomes for stroke patients,” said Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health president and CEO. “By Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista achieving certification as a Primary Stroke Center, our patients can have confidence that no matter which Scripps hospital they go to they will receive the highest level of care.”

Since 2000, the Joint Commission has surveyed hospitals for certification as Primary Stroke Centers. Hospitals that receive this certification are recognized for making exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care and for providing services with the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes.

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.

May is National Stroke Awareness month and Scripps is offering free stroke awareness community events and physician lectures throughout the month. For a schedule of events and for more information about stroke risk, prevention and treatment, visit stroke care.

Warning Signs of a Stroke

•Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

•Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

•Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

•Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

•Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

A stroke is a medical emergency. Immediate recognition of symptoms and appropriate care can prevent disability and save lives.

Source: American Stroke Association

Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a $2.3 billion, private not-for-profit integrated health system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats a half-million patients annually through the dedication of 2,500 affiliated physicians and 13,000 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, and ambulatory care network of physician offices and 22 outpatient centers and clinics. Recognized as a leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research, genomic medicine, wireless health care and graduate medical education. Scripps has been recognized by Thomson Reuters as one of the Top 10 health systems in the nation for quality care. With three highly respected graduate medical education programs, Scripps is a longstanding member of the Association of American Medical Colleges. More information can be found at www.scripps.org.