FRISCO, Texas— Texas Health Hospital Frisco has earned Primary Stroke Center certification* from Joint Commission, offered in collaboration with the American Heart Association.

“We focus on stroke awareness, along with providing patients with high-quality neurological care,” said Tiffany Northern, FACHE, Texas Health Frisco president. “This certification demonstrates our care team’s commitment to helping Frisco residents feel better by empowering them with options that promote a healthier lifestyle.”

More than 115 hospitals statewide are designated as primary stroke facilities by the Texas Department of State Health Services, including Texas Health Frisco, said David Wolf, M.S.N., R.N., CNL, the hospital’s quality improvement coordinator.

Physicians on the Texas Health Frisco medical staff use the latest technology to diagnose and treat strokes and collaborate with a comprehensive stroke response team to care for patients. The team includes an emergency department (ED) physician and neurologist, both on the medical staff, ED nurses, EMTs, a CT technologist, a pharmacist, a phlebotomist and lab technicians.

Wolf emphasized that the care team is prepared to assess patients with neurological impairments, such as difficulty swallowing or speaking, and determine what additional tests or services might be needed, such as physical, occupational or speech therapies.

“It all starts with education and empowerment, even before a stroke occurs,” Wolf said. “We attend community events to highlight stroke symptoms outlined using the B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym, along with emphasizing the importance of calling 911.” The acronym is a reminder to look for several warning signs:

• Balance or dizziness
• Eyes (blurred vision, double vision or loss of eyesight)
• Facial drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty
• Time to call 911

Stroke by the numbers

Texas Health is committed to supporting the highest level of stroke care across North Texas. Three Texas Health facilities are certified Comprehensive Stroke Centers, and eight more are Primary Stroke Centers, including Texas Health Frisco.

“The certification reflects Texas Health Frisco’s unwavering commitment to providing individuals with high-quality stroke care,” said Mohamed Summakia, M.D., a neurologist and epilepsy specialist on the medical staff at Texas Health Frisco and the hospital’s Stroke Program medical director. “The care team consistently provides patients with rapid diagnosis and treatment; because we know that when someone has a stroke, nearly 2 million neurons die without proper blood flow to the brain, and every minute matters.”

The certification encompasses the full spectrum of stroke care: diagnosis, education, rehabilitation and treatment. Hospitals must meet Primary Stroke Center standards, including access to advanced imaging capabilities, an inpatient stroke unit and staff with specialized education and competencies to care for acute stroke patients.

*Joint Commission partnered with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to develop comprehensive, evidence-based stroke certifications that provide the highest national standards for safe, high-quality stroke care.