SHANDS AT UF BECOMES PRIMARY STROKE CENTER, EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION

The Shands at the University of Florida stroke team’s efforts to reduce how the nation’s third leading cause of death affects North Central Floridians are paying off. The American Stroke Association and the American Heart Association recently awarded the Shands at UF Stroke Program the Bronze Initial Performance Achievement Award for implementing national guidelines in the treatment and prevention of strokes. The bronze award is the first level of recognition for programs that have met seven core measures for 90 consecutive days.

Also, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration designated Shands at UF as a "primary stroke center." A program earns this title by meeting rigorous requirements, such as providing advanced diagnostic capabilities, linking with stroke-trained emergency responders and making its stroke specialists available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Shands at UF Stroke Program has developed a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients. This program includes the dedicated efforts of physicians, nurses and ancillary health professionals in the fields of emergency medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, critical-care medicine and rehabilitation medicine. The Stroke Program and ShandsCair have educated the surrounding counties on pre-hospital stroke care and implemented a stroke-alert system for all patients with stroke signs and symptoms. When a stroke alert is activated, the stroke team mobilizes to prepare for the patient in route to the hospital.