Florida Hospital Waterman has earned certification as a primary stroke center from the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA). The certification means that the stroke program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients.
Stroke patients need to be treated in a time-sensitive framework just as heart attack patients do, requiring the coordinated effort of nurses, staff and physicians. Because successful treatment of stroke patients is so time-critical, the presence of a certified stroke center at Florida Hospital Waterman is significant for members of our community because they no longer have to waste precious time and travel to get life-saving treatment.
“We sought certification of our stroke program to validate our commitment to first-rate care for stroke patients," says Tim Cross, Director of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Services. "Achieving the stroke center certification signifies that we have the physicians, staff, resources and expertise to deliver optimal care for the unique needs of stroke patients.”
According to the American Stroke Association, nearly 700,000 Americans suffer a first-time or recurring stroke each year. The number of first-time strokes is expected to increase in the coming decades as more Americans enter the age group at greatest risk. Strokes are the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. behind heart disease and cancer.