Health

Last Updated on Monday, 29 May 2017 01:00

For the second consecutive year, Monongahela Valley Hospital (MVH) has 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 MVH is in the top seven percent 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 percent 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 MVH 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 percent 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

The Women’s Choice Award is yet additional recognition for the quality of stroke care offered at Monongahela Valley Hospital. MVH previously earned The Joint Commission’s Certification for Primary Care Stroke Center and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.