Southcoast Health awarded Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification for Fall River, New Bedford, Wareham hospitals

Southcoast Health officials are proud to announce that the community health system has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification at all three Southcoast Health hospitals including Charlton Memorial, St. Luke’s and Tobey.

“When someone experiences a stroke, providing treatment quickly is critical for optimal patient outcomes,” said Daniel Sacchetti, DO, Stroke Director and Chief of Neurology at Southcoast Health. “Receiving this certification from the Joint Commission demonstrates Southcoast Health’s commitment to delivering high-quality, timely stroke care to patients across the South Coast region. I am so proud of our entire team of physicians, providers, nurses and staff who provide top-notch care every day to address this common and serious condition.”

To earn this prestigious two-year certification, Southcoast Health underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review at the end of 2024. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management and delivering and facilitating clinical care.

“This recognition shows that today, anywhere in the South Coast region, our community has access to efficient stroke care with the right medications, assessments and interventions in the right place when every second counts,” saidDani Hackner, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Southcoast Health.

Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews with the entire team to confirm that the program met or exceeds their requirements.

“The Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” said Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, Executive Vice President of Accreditation and Certification Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at The Joint Commission. “We commend Southcoast Health for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”

Southcoast Health has built a highly effective, coordinated stroke program to best serve our community. Outside of the hospital, this team works closely with local city, town and community partners to provide community education about how everyone can reduce their risk of stroke with simple lifestyle changes.

“Stroke education is imperative to the health of our community. In fact, many strokes can even be prevented by modifying risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking and alcohol intake and prioritizing exercise and a healthy diet,” said Karen Duff, BSN, RN, CCRN, ASC-BC Advanced Stroke Coordinator at Southcoast Health. “Additionally, if someone is having a stroke, being able to identify it quickly greatly increases their chances of a strong recovery.”

A stroke is a serious medical condition that requires emergency care. According to the CDC, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke, totaling more than 795,000 people across the country annually. Knowing the key signs and symptoms of a stroke and calling 911 immediately can save a life and help prevent disability.

“We congratulate Southcoast Health for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”

Click here to learn more about stroke care at Southcoast Health. For more information about this certification, please visit The Joint Commission website.