The Joint Commission, in partnership with the American Heart Association
and American Stroke Association, has recognized Archbold Memorial as a
Primary Stroke Center.
This certification signifies that Archbold meets the highest standards
of stroke care, ensuring patients receive timely, evidence-based treatment
that improves outcomes and saves lives. When stroke strikes, time matters.
Choosing the right facility can be the difference between full recovery
and long-term disability.
About Primary Stroke Centers
As a Primary Stroke Center, Archbold Memorial has the infrastructure and
capabilities to offer dependable stroke treatment when it matters most.
Acute Stroke Teams: Archbold's stroke team includes physicians and other health care practitioners
who are available 24 hours a day and able to be at the bedside of a possible
stroke patient within 15 minutes of patient arrival. Neurologists, neurosurgeons
and providers with expertise in cerebrovascular disease are prepared to
respond to stroke emergencies.
Written Care Protocols: Archbold adheres to stroke protocols that improve the care patients receive
and reduce complications. Written protocols are available in the emergency
department (ED) and other areas where stroke patients may receive care
and are reviewed and updated by the stroke team regularly.
Coordination with Emergency Medical Services: Given that EMS plays a vital role in delivering timely care to patients
with stroke, Archbold is proud to partner with Thomas County EMS and surrounding
emergency medical services to facilitate efficient admission of stroke
patients to Archbold Memorial.
Emergency Department Commitment: The ED is typically the first point of contact between stroke patients
and Archbold. ED personnel at Archbold are trained to diagnose and treat
all types of acute stroke.
Stroke Unit: Archbold understands that patients who receive care in stroke units have
better outcomes than those that receive care in general medical wards.
We are proud to offer specialized care to these patients in the Archbold
Memorial Stroke Unit.
Neurosurgical Services: Archbold Neurologists and Neurosurgeons are prepared to care for patients
in a timely manner, typically allowing patients to stay close to home
at Archbold to receive the life-saving care they need when time matters most.
Support of the Medical Organization: Archbold's administration and staff are committed to high quality, efficient
stroke care and facilitating the most dependable and efficient care possible
for the residents of our communities.
Neuroimaging and Laboratory Services: Archbold Memorial offers timely access to brain imaging and laboratory
services to rapidly diagnose a patient.
Outcome and Quality Improvement Activities: Archbold is proud to have team members dedicated to patient safety and
quality improvement within our facilities. Our Stroke Program Coordinator,
Stroke Medical Director and Vice President of Quality & Patient Safety
work to ensure patients at Archbold receive safe and continually-improving care.
Continuing Medical Education: The science surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular
disease is constantly changing. Archbold providers and staff are committed
to continually updating their knowledge regarding best practices.
About Stroke
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability
among American adults. Each year, approximately 795,000 people suffer
from a stroke in the United States. Despite its prevalence, many hospitals
do not have the necessary personnel, equipment, and organization to triage
and treat patients with stroke rapidly and effectively. A study published
in 2019 found that only 37% of US hospitals were certified stroke centers.
Stroke centers have stroke specific infrastructure, including acute stroke
teams, stroke units, care protocols, and other support systems for stroke
patients which increase the use of diagnostic and therapeutic treatments,
reducing stroke complications and improving overall stroke care.
(Source: AHA/ASA)
Stroke Warning Signs
Time matters when it comes to stroke. Take a moment to study the stroke
warning signs below and remember
"BE FAST." You never know when a quick response to these warning signs could save a life.
Call 911 immediately if you observe even one of the stroke symptoms in anyone, including yourself.
Early treatment of stroke leads to higher survival rates and lower disability rates.
SPOT A STROKE -- "BE FAST"
BALANCE -- EYES -- FACE -- ARMS -- SPEECH -- TIME
Stroke Centers Deliver High Quality Care
The goal of a Primary Stroke Center is to improve the efficiency of patient
care and increase the use of life-saving acute stroke therapies. Stroke
centers are proven to decrease complications related to stroke, reduce
morbidity and mortality, and improve long-term outcomes. Seeking care
at a Primary Stroke Center means reduced time from ED arrival to acute
care based on the most up-to-date guidelines and highest standards of care.
(Source: AHA/ASA)
Supporting Stroke Systems of Care
Primary Stroke Centers are the central hub to a stroke system of care,
facilitating patient access to important stroke services and improving
quality of care. As a Primary Stroke Center, Archbold Memorial supports
the timely diagnosis and transportation of patients who suffer stroke
to the best destination for definitive treatment. Archbold works closely
with system facilities and outside hospitals to reduce treatment times
and improve patient outcomes by promoting an organized and standardized
approach to care.
Despite being proven to enhance the quality of stroke care and improve
patient outcomes, access to certified stroke centers is limited. Over
one-third of the US population is not within 60 minutes of a Primary Stroke
Center. As a Primary Stroke Center, we believe it is our purpose to support
and expand access to critical stroke care and resources across our region.
Archbold is proud to offer convenient, efficient and dependable stroke
care to our communities across Southwest Georgia.
Designation Process
The Brain Attack Coalition (BAC), a multidisciplinary organization that
includes most major medical organizations involved with stroke care, created
a series of recommendations outlining the most important elements of stroke
care. Based on these recommendations, the certification of stroke centers
began as a way to improve quality and standardize care.
The designation process for Primary Stroke Center certification is based
on the evaluation of stringent standards, implementation of clinical practice
guidelines, and continuous performance improvement activities. Hospitals
that demonstrate excellence in all three areas are awarded certification.
This process ensures that stroke patients have access to the highest standards
of care across all certified centers. Although many entities, including
several states, have developed their own designation processes, the American
Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) and The Joint
Commission (TJC) have the largest and most well-known PSC certification
program, combining the expertise of the AHA/ASA in scientific knowledge
with TJC’s experience in evaluating quality and excellence in care.
Archbold Memorial is proud to be certified as a Primary Stroke Center
by the Joint Commission in conjunction with the American Heart association,
as well as by the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Daniel O’Neal, BSN, RN, SCRN
Stroke Program Coordinator Archbold Memorial
229.228.8030
Brian Dawson, MD
Stroke Medical Director Archbold Memorial
Interventional Radiology, Vascular InterventionalView Profile
