June 20, 2023 – ARH Our Lady of the Way announces that it has received certification from DNV as an Acute Stroke Ready Center, affirming the hospital’s readiness to handle strokes and stroke related medical problems.
The advantage of an Acute Stroke Ready certified program is that these stroke centers usually serve communities where access to a larger, more equipped hospital is too far for patients to reach in limited time. We know that Time is Brain; the faster a patient can get to a certified stroke center, the faster the patient will be diagnosed and treated. Saving this valuable time is known to decrease complications of a stroke.
“It’s a combination of the right equipment, personnel and training to quickly assess, identify and treat strokes quickly. This includes the ability to efficiently transfer patients in the instances they require treatment beyond our capabilities. Achieving certification validates the tremendous effort we have put into this program, ensuring the health and safety of our patients,” says Rocco Massey, ARH Vice President of External Affairs.
“The acute stroke ready certification from DNV will allow us to provide an added level of quality care close to home. Our Team worked so hard to obtain this comprehensive designation and I couldn’t be more proud of their efforts. ARH will always strive to improve health and promote well-being for all people in central Appalachia in partnership with our communities. That is our mission and that is our promise to our patients,” adds Massey.
The DNV Acute Stroke Ready (ASR) Certification is derived from evidenced-based standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association, and affirms that ARH Our Lady of the Way addresses the initial diagnosis, initial treatment and when necessary, facilitates quick transfer to a specialized stroke center with a higher spectrum of stroke care.
“Achieving certification shows a commitment to excellence,” says Kelly Proctor, President of DNV Healthcare USA Inc. “It helps demonstrate to your community that you are providing the highest level of care that this hospital is designed to offer.”
According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is a leading cause of death, killing nearly 130,000 people each year, and is a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability. Because stroke or “brain attack” effects blood flow to the brain, rapid and effective treatment can save lives and provide the best chance of limiting the extent of long-term damage.
The advantage of an Acute Stroke Ready certified program is that these stroke centers usually serve communities where access to a larger, more equipped hospital is too far for patients to reach in limited time. We know that Time is Brain; the faster a patient can get to a certified stroke center, the faster the patient will be diagnosed and treated. Saving this valuable time is known to decrease complications of a stroke.
“It’s a combination of the right equipment, personnel and training to quickly assess, identify and treat strokes quickly. This includes the ability to efficiently transfer patients in the instances they require treatment beyond our capabilities. Achieving certification validates the tremendous effort we have put into this program, ensuring the health and safety of our patients,” says Rocco Massey, ARH Vice President of External Affairs.
“The acute stroke ready certification from DNV will allow us to provide an added level of quality care close to home. Our Team worked so hard to obtain this comprehensive designation and I couldn’t be more proud of their efforts. ARH will always strive to improve health and promote well-being for all people in central Appalachia in partnership with our communities. That is our mission and that is our promise to our patients,” adds Massey.
Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), is a not-for-profit health system operating 14 hospitals in Barbourville, Hazard, Harlan, Hyden, Martin, McDowell, Middlesboro, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, West Liberty, Whitesburg, and South Williamson in Kentucky and Beckley and Hinton in West Virginia, as well as multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, home medical equipment stores and retail pharmacies. ARH employs more than 6,500 people with an annual payroll and benefits of $330 million generated into our local economies. ARH also has a network of more than 600 active and courtesy medical staff members. ARH is the largest provider of care and the single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky and the third-largest private employer in southern West Virginia.
DNV is a global independent certification, assurance and risk management provider, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise, DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, drives innovative solutions.
Whether certifying a company’s management system or products, accrediting hospitals, providing training, assessing supply chains or digital assets, DNV enables customers and stakeholders to make critical decisions with confidence, continually improve and realize long-term strategic goals sustainably.
DNV draws on its wide technical and industry expertise to help companies worldwide build consumer and stakeholder trust. Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies