Rutherford Regional Earns Renewed Primary Stroke Center Certification

Rutherford Regional Health System has once again earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association's Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Center Certification, reaffirming the organization's commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based stroke care for patients across Rutherford County and the surrounding region.

The certification follows a comprehensive review process that evaluates a hospital's ability to deliver timely, evidence-based care for stroke patients while maintaining rigorous standards for quality and patient safety.

"Renewing this certification reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, EMS partners, and support teams who work together every day to provide exceptional care for our community," said Sudandra Ratnasamy, Chief Executive Officer of Rutherford Regional Health System. "When stroke occurs, every minute matters. This achievement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to ensuring patients have access to high-quality care right here at home."

Suffering from a stroke can be deadly. In fact, stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Every 40 seconds, someone has a stroke in the U.S. – but with a healthy lifestyle, 80 percent of strokes are preventable. And high blood pressure is the most important controllable risk factor. So, always know your numbers and talk to your primary care provider about how to lower your blood pressure and keep it at healthy levels. You can learn more about your risk for stroke with our online Stroke Health Risk Assessment at MyRutherfordRegional.com/Stroke. 

Knowing the symptoms of a stroke is often the first line of defense in getting proper care. Some symptoms of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs – especially on one side of the body; confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech; trouble seeing in one or both eyes; trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance and coordination; and a severe headache with no known cause. One of the best ways to recognize a stroke is by familiarizing yourself with the B.E. F.A.S.T. warning signs:  

• B – Balance loss 

• E – Eyesight changes 

• F – Face Drooping. Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven?  

• A – Arm Weakness. Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?  

• S – Speech Difficulty. Is the person’s speech slurred?  

• T – Time to call 9-1-1.  

When strokes occur, we’re here when you need us most, providing 24/7 emergency care close to home, including high levels of stroke care as a Joint Commission Certified Primary Stroke Center.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of stroke, time is of the essence. Dial 9-1-1 immediately to get connected to the proper care. For more information about stroke warning signs, prevention and recovery, visit https://www.stroke.org/.   

To learn more, visit us at MyRutherfordRegional.com, or call 828.286.5000