UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital earns Primary Stroke Center designation

Hospital’s stroke program focuses on stroke prevention, treatment and recovery
By:
Aug. 5, 2019

LONGMONT, Colo. (Aug. 5, 2019) – The Joint Commission has designated UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital as a Primary Stroke Center.

The national certification recognizes hospitals that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care.

“As an organization, we are committed to providing the very best care and experience for every patient, every day,” said Longs Peak Hospital President Lonnie Cramer. “The Primary Stroke Center certification reflects the additional work we have done to build a stroke program and team of experts that deliver high quality care for our community through efficient protocols, evidenced-based practice and innovative technology.”

Longs Peak’s stroke program was designed to meet the community’s stroke care needs across the full spectrum, said Jennifer Fairbank, the coordinator of the program.

“We help people in the community to learn about stroke prevention and how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke when it actually happens. We deliver exceptional care at the hospital when a patient is experiencing a stroke. And we work closely with our patients after a stroke to ensure they have the resources and support they need when they leave the hospital so they can go on to live their extraordinary lives,” Fairbank said.

To become a Primary Stroke Center, a hospital must meet high standards to demonstrate it is effectively managed to meet the unique and specialized needs of stroke patients. This includes:

  • Acute stroke team available 24/7.
  • Neurologist accessible 24/7 via in person or telemedicine.
  • Designated stroke beds.
  • Sufficient diagnostic services.
  • Ability to provide IV thrombolytics.
  • Tracking, monitoring and reporting of performance measures.

The 210,000-square-foot hospital at 1750 E. Ken Pratt Blvd. in Longmont opened in the fall of 2017 with 51 inpatient beds and room to grow. In addition to its nationally recognized stroke program, Longs Peak features a Level III trauma center and emergency department, a birth center with Level II special care nursery, an intensive care unit, four operating rooms and 24/7 retail pharmacy, radiology and laboratory services.

 

MINUTES MATTER

Time is crucial when treating stroke. Early recognition and response are important to reducing the disabling effects of a stroke. BE FAST is an easy way to remember sudden signs of stroke:

 

B – Balance
Sudden loss of balance or inability to walk straight.

E – Eyes
Sudden loss or changes in vision.

 

F – Face
Uneven smile or drooping of mouth.

A – Arm
Sudden loss of arm strength or coordination.

S – Speech     

Inability to speak clearly or to understand what is being said.

T – Time
Time to call 911 if you suspect stroke symptoms.

 

BE FAST was developed by Intermountain Healthcare, as an adaptation of the FAST model implemented by the American Stroke Association. Reproduced with permission from Intermountain Healthcare. © 2011 Intermountain Healthcare. All rights reserved.

 

Longmont Neurology Primary Stroke Center Stroke care UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital

About the author

Kelly Tracer is a media relations specialist at UCHealth, based in northern Colorado. For nearly 20 years, she worked as a newspaper reporter, editor and designer before diving into the world of health care communications.

She believes there is an amazing story inside everyone and considers it an honor to get to meet and work with so many extraordinary people – patients, families, providers, volunteers and staff – every day. She is also fascinated by health care innovation and programs that empower and inspire people and families to live healthier lives.

A native of Nebraska, Kelly received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She and her husband have two children and enjoy paddle boarding all summer and skiing all winter.