West Jefferson Receives 2017 Women’s Choice Award® as one of America’s Best Stroke Centers

West Jefferson Medical Center (WJMC) been named one of America’s Best Stroke Centers by the Women’s Choice Award®, America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. The award signifies that West Jefferson is in the top 7% of 4,789 U.S. hospitals offering stroke care services.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five women in the United States will have a stroke in her lifetime. Nearly 60% of stroke deaths are in women, and stroke kills twice as many women as breast cancer. Most alarming, the percentage of strokes in women under age 45 is increasing, with studies showing these women are more likely to be misdiagnosed.

“Timely diagnosis and effective care are critical to preventing disability and improving chances of recovery,” said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award. “Our award educates women about where they—and their loved ones—have the best chance to return to a full life following a stroke.”

A stroke center must be certified by the Joint Commission Stroke Certification Program as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center and/or Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center to be considered for the award. It is the only award recognizing excellence in stroke care based on robust criteria that consider patient satisfaction and clinical excellence.

The methodology used to select WJMC as one of America’s Best Stroke Centers is unique in that it evaluates 30-day stroke mortality and readmission rates and Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results along with primary research about women’s healthcare preferences. Hospitals must also score in the top 80% of all hospitals in the following areas:

• Percent of patients receiving Head CT scan results within 45 minutes
• Percent of patients receiving Thrombolytic therapy
• Percent of patients receiving Stroke education

West Jefferson is one of 339 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for stroke care in the U.S. by the Women’s Choice Award.

“We are proud to have received the America’s Best Stroke Centers designation,” said Nancy R. Cassagne, President and CEO of West Jefferson Medical Center. “Our experienced team of physicians, nurses and staff work closely on a daily basis to ensure all of our patients receive the best care possible through prompt and progressive stroke treatments.”

For more information on the 2017 America’s Best Stroke Centers, please visit
https://www.womenschoiceaward.com/awarded/healthcare/