BROWNSVILLE STROKE PROGRAM AWARDED CERTIFICATION BY NATIONAL COMMISSION

BROWNSVILLE - Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville has joined Valley Baptist-Harlingen as the only two hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley to be certified as “Primary Stroke Centers” by the national accrediting organization for health care facilities, the Joint Commission.

Valley Baptist-Brownsville earned the national distinction after the Joint Commission, which is based in Illinois, conducted an on-site review in Brownsville in the fall.  The review demonstrated that Valley Baptist’s stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines which can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients.

 “This certification is an honor held by only a few hospitals in South Texas,” said Leslie Bingham, CEO for VBMC-Brownsville.  “It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our physicians and employees at Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville.  We are committed to providing outstanding care to our patients and the community.”

Each year, about 700,000 people experience a stroke, which is the nation’s third leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability.  A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, and that part of the brain starts to die.

  The sooner that treatment begins after a stroke, the better the patient’s chances of surviving without disabilities.  At Valley Baptist-Brownsville, a clot-busting medication called tPA is used when medically indicated to reverse strokes – but the medication must be given within three hours from the start of symptoms of a possible stroke.  
                     
“Time equals brain,” says Dr. Luis Gaitan, Neurologist and as Medical Director of the Stroke Program at VBMC-Brownsville.  “If you have signs and symptoms of a stroke, the earlier you get to the hospital, the better the outcome.  At the hospital we can give a medication that can dissolve the clot in the arteries that is producing the symptoms of a stroke.”

Dr. Gaitan, who trained at Emory University in Atlanta,   added that it’s very important for Valley residents to learn about the risk factors and symptoms of stroke -- and how to prevent a stroke by controlling high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
                          
Valley Baptist-Brownsville uses an interdisciplinary approach to provide specialized care for stroke patients, as well as a quality improvement plan to monitor outcomes and make improvements through its Quality Initiatives Dept.   Dr. Gaitan has played an instrumental role in formulating the team, which also includes neurosurgeons, emergency room physicians, radiologists, specially-trained nursing staff, and radiology and laboratory technicians.

“It’s a big, integrated team effort from multiple departments of the hospital,” Dr. Gaitan said.  “Every member of the team plays a key role in our success … from the nurses who do the triage to the radiology techs who perform the CT scans,  and the laboratory personnel who complete the tests in a timely manner -- so that I, as a certified neurologist, can make the assessment and order the medication if appropriate.”
           
Dr. Gaitan said that having a certified stroke hospital on the Texas – Mexico border is very important – something that many metropolitan areas don’t have.  “This is something great for Brownsville,” Dr. Gaitan added.  “It’s a plus for the community, because your father or grandfather could benefit from this treatment.”

Dr. Khadim Hussain, Medical Director of the Emergency Dept. at VBMC-Brownsville, said the Valley Baptist team strives not only to save the lives of stroke patients, but to improve the quality of life for those who survive stroke. 

Ingrid Steinbach, RN, CEN, Emergency Services Director for VBMC-Brownsville, noted the hospital is equipped 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide immediate CT scans of the brain, conduct patient evaluations of stroke patients and to use clot-busting medications when appropriate. 

“When you see a stroke patient get a medicine like tPA, and then recover, it’s just amazing,” Ms. Steinbach added.  “We are constantly seeking to set higher standards and to improve the care we deliver to the community.  Becoming certified with the Joint Commission is a great accomplishment.”

Ross Peterson, RN, BSN, CEN, Stroke Coordinator and Clinical Supervisor for VBMC-Brownsville’s Emergency Dept., said the Primary Stroke Center certification is based on recommendations developed by the “Brain Attack Coalition,” a national group of experts on stroke care, and evidence-based guidelines that Valley Baptist uses for the best care of stroke patients. 

Dr. Robert A. Lozano, Vice President for Medical Affairs for VBMC-Brownsville, noted that Valley Baptist’s stroke programs in Brownsville and Harlingen previously received “Recognition” status with the American Stroke Association, as well as triple-recognition awards for treating stroke, coronary artery disease, and heart failure from the American Heart Association.

            Valley Baptist is also participating in an exciting new “Telemedicine” comprehensive stroke services program in partnership with St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston.  A demonstration of how that new program can help Valley patients will be held April 20 at Valley Baptist-Harlingen.

The Joint Commission launched the nation’s first stroke center certification program in 2003.  A list of Joint Commission-certified programs across the country is available at http://www.jointcommission.org/.