“Doctors Medical Center demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients,” says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.

Each year about 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation’s third leading cause of death.  On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 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.

“We’re proud to achieve the distinction,” says Dennis Litos, Chief Executive Officer.  “Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes Doctors Medical Center’s commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community.”

The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attach Coalition and the American Stroke Association’s statements/guidelines for stroke care.  The Joint Commission launched the program – the nation’s first – in 2003.  A list of the programs certified by the Joint Commission is available at www.jointcommission.org.

Doctors Medical Center of Modesto, part of Tenet California, is a 465-bed acute care hospital located at 1441 Florida Ave. in Modesto.  DMC offers a wide range of services, including the cardiology, neurology, emergency and trauma services, women and children’s services, orthopedics, medical/surgical, behavioral health, oncology, and critical/intensive care.  To learn more about Doctors Medical Center, or to receive a referral to one of our 600 affiliated physicians, visit www.dmc-modesto.com.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations.  The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services.  The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities.  In addition, the Joint Commission provides certification of disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services.  An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.  Learn more about the Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.