PMC Primary Stroke Center Recognized for Continued Treatment Excellence

                   Parrish Medical Center Primary Stroke Center Recognized for Continued Treatment Excellence

Re-certified by The Joint Commission and American Stroke Association

TITUSVILLE, FLA (January 23, 2024)– Parrish Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Center Certification.

Parrish Medical Center underwent a rigorous onsite review on January 19, 2024. During the visit, the Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with leading evidence-based stroke treatment standards. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The evaluation included onsite observations and interviews.

“Primary Stroke Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Parrish Medical Center for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”

“We congratulate Parrish Medical Center for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”

Stroke is a leading cause of death in Florida. Growing research shows, however, that stroke patients' outcomes can be significantly improved when they receive treatment from an organized stroke system of care.

“The Joint Commission established the Primary Stroke Center program to set a care standard to protect and save lives,” said George Mikitarian, Parrish Medical Center president & CEO. “Meeting that standard takes tremendous commitment, resources, and work, but we have long dedicated ourselves to providing the highest levels of patient safety, clinical quality, and healing patient experiences on behalf of the people and communities we serve.”

“This Joint Commission’s Gold Seal affirmation of Parrish Medical Center’s quality stroke care means that patients and families can have confidence in the objective measurement, accomplishment, and results, of Parrish Medical Center’s treatment program,” Mikitarian added.

“Quick administration of a drug called tPA to dissolve a stroke-causing blood clot and restore blood flow is part of The Joint Commission’s standards followed by Parrish Medical Center”, said Gregory P. Cuculino, MD, FACEP, emergency department medical director.

“In many cases the drug results in the patient having minimal or no neurological damage from the stroke,” said Dr. Cuculino, “It’s one aspect of our approach to stroke care, which includes prevention, treatment and rehabilitation while always working as a team.”

Hospitals were eligible to apply voluntarily for Primary Stroke Center certification from the Joint Commission in 2003. The certification standards comply with the Brain Attack Coalition’s proposed organized stroke system of care. The proposed organized system of care promotes EMS routing acute patients to Primary Stroke Centers, and Comprehensive Stroke Centers, able to provide proven stroke care reliably and rapidly.

In 2004 PMC became the first health system in Brevard and third in the state of Florida to earn The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center certification. And, every two years since 2004, The Joint Commission has evaluated and recertified Parrish Medical Center’s Primary Stroke Center.

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About Parrish Medical Center |Parrish Healthcare

Parrish Medical Center (PMC), a Parrish Healthcare integrated care partner, is located at 951 N. Washington Ave., Titusville, Florida. The 210-bed, not-for-profit acute care public medical center has been serving Brevard County since 1958. PMC is the first in the nation to be Integrated Care certified by The Joint Commission and is nationally recognized as One of America’s Finest Healing Environments®. For more information, visit parrishhealthcare.com.

About The Joint Commission:

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit 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 jointcommission.org.