Potomac Valley Hospital (PVH) recently achieved certification as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital through The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association, the first critical access hospital in the West Virginia University Health System to achieve this distinction and the third hospital in the state of West Virginia to do so.
The certification designates PVH as a hospital able to provide the highest quality care to stroke patients and was awarded following an onsite review by the accrediting agencies. In order to qualify for the designation, hospitals must meet the requirements of The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification Program, which includes having a dedicated stroke-focused program staffed by highly qualified medical professionals trained in stroke care. In addition, hospitals must establish collaboration with local Emergency Management Systems; have rapid diagnostic and laboratory testing available 24 hours per day; provide access to telemedicine technology that allows staff to work directly with providers from larger medical facilities; and establish agreements with larger facilities to allow for seamless transfer of patients if needed.
“The Acute Stroke Ready Hospital certification shows the hard work and dedication of the staff at PVH,” says Mark Boucot, President and CEO of Potomac Valley Hospital. “This accomplishment takes extensive collaboration and coordination among all departments of the hospital. The staff did a great job meeting the standards required by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association. PVH strives to achieve excellence in all that we do, because that is what we would do when caring for our own family members. This certification has made us take a data driven approach to be the best for the patients we serve.”
The Acute Stroke Ready Hospital certification provides access to acute stroke services for residents in Mineral County and surrounding communities by ensuring quality, efficient care prior to transfer to a primary or comprehensive stroke center. If patients who are experiencing stroke symptoms receive proper treatment quickly, the potential to save lives and improve patient outcomes increases.
Potomac Valley Hospital is a 25-bed critical access hospital in Keyser, West Virginia. The hospital serves the community of Mineral County, West Virginia and surrounding areas. PVH officially became a member of the West Virginia University Health System in 2014. PVH provides inpatient and outpatient care, including 24/7 Emergency Department services. PVH employs more than 250 healthcare professionals, including over 50 physicians, who are dedicated to our mission of striving to treat every patient like a member of our own family.