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Mid Coast Hospital Earns National Accreditation As Advanced Primary Stroke Center

May 23, 2023

Contact: John Martins Director, Communications & Public Affairs

LincolnHealth and Mid Coast–Parkview Health

Phone: (207) 563-4086

John.Martins@mainehealth.org 

Mid Coast Hospital Earns National Accreditation As Advanced Primary Stroke Center

Brunswick, Maine – Mid Coast Hospital recently learned it has again earned re-certification by the John Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. To achieve this designation, the Center must meet rigorous standards and provide care based on best practices as defined by the Commission.

Mid Coast Hospital underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review in mid-March. A team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including time sensitive emergency care of the stroke patient as well as best practice care for patients admitted with stroke. The reviewers also noted onsite observations and conducted interviews.

“Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” said Deborah Ryan, MS, RN, interim executive vice president, Accreditation and Certification Operations, The Joint Commission. “We commend Mid Coast Hospital for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for stroke patients.”

“Our team is all-in on providing the best care, and our steering committee includes representation from all teams who play a role in stroke treatment and rehabilitation,” said Lori Allen, Stroke Program Coordinator.”

According to the American Heart Association, someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds, accounting for one out of every 19 deaths. A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Blood carries oxygen to cells in the body. When brain cells are starved of blood, they die. Stroke is a leading cause of death and serious disability nationwide and around the world.

May is designated as Stroke Awareness Month by the American Stroke Association. During this month, and all year long, Mid Coast Hospital encourages people to learn about risk factors as well as the warning signs and the importance of acting immediately at the first sign of a stroke.

“There are many signs of a stroke that anyone can witness,” said John Taylor, DO, a Neurologist with the Mid Coast Medical Group and Medical Director of the stroke program. “Sudden loss of balance, sudden vision problems, face numbness or drooping, numbness of arms or legs on one side of the body and sudden trouble speaking or understanding are all symptoms of stroke.”

If you witness or are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should call 9-1-1 right away, Taylor said. “Fast action is essential in reducing the devastating effects of stroke,” Taylor said. “Every second matters.”

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About Mid Coast–Parkview Health:

Mid Coast–Parkview Health is a dynamic healthcare system that addresses a full continuum of community health, wellness, and prevention needs with a full-service 93-bed hospital (Mid Coast Hospital), a diverse medical group (Mid Coast Medical Group), senior health care (Mid Coast Senior Health), and home healthcare services (CHANS Home Health & Hospice). Mid Coast–Parkview Health is part of MaineHealth, the largest health system in northern New England, with approximately 22,000 employees providing preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire.

About MaineHealth:

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.” It consists of nine local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,500 employed and independent physicians working together through the MaineHealth Medical Group. With approximately 22,000 employees, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. It includes Franklin Memorial Hospital/Franklin Community Health Network in Farmington, LincolnHealth in Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor, Maine Behavioral Healthcare in South Portland, MaineHealth Care at Home in Saco, Maine Medical Center in Portland, Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., Mid Coast-Parkview Health in Brunswick, NorDx in Scarborough, Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County Hospital in Rockport and Belfast, Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford and Sanford, Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook and Stephens Memorial Hospital/Western Maine Health Care in Norway. MaineHealth Affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville, New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland.