Augusta Health Stroke Program Team certified and recognized

Augusta Health’s Stroke Team, an interdisciplinary group working throughout the hospital to provide quality care for all stroke patients, has been recognized in recent weeks by both The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Dr. Robert McMahon, Medical Director of the Augusta Health Stroke Program, said, “Our Stroke Team strives to deliver high quality care to our patients and to meet and exceed all national standards.  These recognitions are an acknowledgement that we do improve the quality of life for our patients.”

The Joint Commission reviewed processes and improvements in stroke care at Augusta Health through a certification review for compliance and noted they could identify no requirements for improvement.  The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association recognized Augusta Health for achieving at least 12 consecutive months of 85% or higher adherence with multiple “Get with the Guidelines” Stroke Performance Achievement indicators.

Stroke 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 also a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States.

In addition to Dr. McMahon, Augusta Health’s Stroke team includes Joel Black, PT, MPT, Physical Therapist; Angela Bourbeau, BSN RN, Case Management; Scott Crabtree, PT, OCS, Director of Therapies; Todd Dickerson, RN, Director of Emergency Department; Rader Dod RT (R), Director of Radiology; Linda Freed, MSN, RN, Director of Intensive Care Unit; Sydney Gorby, BSN, RN, Stroke Coordinator; Donna Hurst, RN, Emergency Department Clinical Coordinator; Jill Kane, MSN, RN, Director of PCU; Aimee Karnes, MSN, RN, Administrative Director; Claudia Koliscak, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech Therapist; Jennifer Krzastek, L/OTR, Occupational Therapist; Kemper McCauley, BSN, RN, Director of Skilled Nursing/Rehab; Kara Meeks, MS, RD, Clinical Dietitian; Will Moran, RRT, Director of Respiratory Care; Shelley Payne, CTRS, Supervisor of Recreation Therapy; Robin Royal, MT, Lab Technician; Susmita Solanki, PharmD, MT, Pharmacy; and Jill Thompson, BS, NREMT-P, EMS Trainer.

Augusta Health is an independent, nonprofit community hospital whose mission is to promote the health and well-being of our community through access to excellent care.  Named one of the 100 Top Hospitals in America by Thomson Reuters in both 2011 and 2012, Augusta Health has also been nationally recognized by HealthGrades for clinical excellence and patient safety.  For more information about Augusta Health, its programs or its services, please contact Public Relations at 540.245.7329 or 540.221.7329, or visit our website, www.augustahealth.com.