Mid Coast Hospital recognized for advanced stroke care

BRUNSWICK — The Joint Commission, in conjunction with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, has recertified Mid Coast Hospital with advanced certification for primary stroke center. The certification demonstrates the hospital’s ability to provide the highest level of care to ensure the best possible outcome.

Mid Coast Hospital was first recognized as a Primary Stroke Center in 2012 and undergoes rigorous onsite reviews every two years. At the most recent review in August 2018, Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements, including program management, the delivery of clinical care and performance improvement.
“We congratulate Mid Coast Hospital for achieving this designation,” said Nancy Brown, CEO, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. “By adhering to this very specific set of treatment guidelines, Mid Coast Hospital has clearly made it a priority to deliver high-quality care.”
Stroke is the number four cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.
Mid Coast Hospital encourages individuals to learn the risk factors associated with stroke, recognize the warning signs and symptoms, and on first sign of a stroke, dial 9-1-1 immediately. Warning signs and symptoms of stroke include face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, 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, or loss of balance or coordination, and sudden severe headache with no known cause.