Atlanta Medical Center – South Campus Named Primary Stroke Center

Atlanta Medical Center – South Campus has been recognized with Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers by The Joint Commission, in conjunction with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Achievement of Primary Stroke Center Certification signifies an organization’s dedication to fostering better outcomes for patients. Atlanta Medical Center – South Campus’ Primary Stroke Center Certification has demonstrated that their program meets critical elements of performance to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.

Atlanta Medical Center – South Campus underwent a rigorous on-site review in July 2013. A Joint Commission expert reviewed Atlanta Medical Center – South Campus’ compliance with the requirements for The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification program as well as primary stroke center requirements, such as collecting Joint Commission core measure data and using it for performance improvement activities.

Atlanta Medical Center – Main Campus is already certified as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. The South Campus reapplied for stroke certification after South Fulton Medical Center consolidated with Atlanta Medical Center earlier this year, creating one hospital with two campuses.

“In achieving Joint Commission advanced certification, Atlanta Medical Center – South Campus has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its stroke patients,” says Jean Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q. executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission. “Certification is a voluntary process and The Joint Commission commends Atlanta Medical Center – South Campus for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

Developed in collaboration with the American Stroke Association and launched in 2003, The Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center Certification program is based on the Brain Attack Coalition's “Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers.” Certification is available only to stroke programs in Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals.

“Atlanta Medical Center – South Campus is thoroughly committed to providing our patients the highest quality stroke care centered on current scientific research to ensure continued improvement in treatment,” said Daniel Jackson, Chief Administrative Officer of Atlanta Medical Center – South Campus. “In addition to our Joint Commission accreditation, the Primary Stroke Center Certification has given us the opportunity to highlight the exceptional stroke care we provide for our patients, and help us improve care overall for our community.”

Acute stroke care is available to patients 24 hours a day at Atlanta Medical Center - South Campus, with the aid of a Telemedicine robot. When a patient arrives with stroke symptoms, the hospital initiates a stroke alert, which contacts a Telemedicine neurologist. A wireless robot with a camera is then brought to the patient’s bedside. The neurologist can ask questions of the patient and can see their movements, enabling a virtual bedside visit between physician and patient.

If a patient requires comprehensive stroke services, such as clot retrieval or intra-arterial rt-PA, they are immediately transferred to Atlanta Medical Center’s Main Campus, which has 24/7 neurology and neurosurgery coverage.

For more information on The Joint Commission and American Heart Association’s Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Center visit http://www.jointcommission.org/ or www.heart.org/myhospital.

About Atlanta Medical Center

Atlanta Medical Center is a 762-bed acute care hospital, with campuses in downtown Atlanta and East Point.  It is the second largest licensed-bed hospital in Georgia and a Level 1 Trauma Center. A teaching hospital, Atlanta Medical Center is widely recognized for its women’s services program, including water births, and for outstanding performance in the treatment of stroke patients. The hospital’s weight‐loss program is designated as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. To learn more about Atlanta Medical Center, a facility accredited by The Joint Commission, visit atlantamedcenter.com.