Ozarks Healthcare receives ACHC Certification for Level II Primary Stroke Center
Ozarks Healthcare recently achieved its Level II Primary Stroke Center certification through the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).
“Caring for our stroke patients is a service we take seriously,” Lacey Carter, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Ozarks Healthcare, said. “Because of the dedication of our staff and certification as a Level II Stroke Center, we are able to provide emergency care at first indications of stroke.”
Certification is a process through which healthcare organizations demonstrate compliance with national standards. Certification by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care.
In October of 1996, Ozarks Healthcare administered tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for the first time. tPA was the first treatment for acute ischemic stroke to receive Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 1996. The timely administration of tPA can save lives by dissolving the clots in a blood vessel during a stroke, which can also limit the long-term damage from a stroke.
The neurological care at Ozarks Healthcare has evolved since its start over 30 years ago. With the health system's status as a Level II Stroke Center, Ozarks Healthcare’s “neuro warriors” are able to treat stroke at first sight and can help patients recover from neuro damage, working across multiple therapy specialties.
ACHC is a nonprofit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. ACHC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and has CMS deeming authority for Home Health, Hospice and DMEPOS.
Ozarks Healthcare is a system of care encompassing primary care and specialty clinics, along with complete rehabilitation, behavioral healthcare, and home health services. While the 114-bed acute care hospital cares for more than 5,400 admissions, the entire health system has more than 364,000 patient visits annually in South Central Missouri and Northern Arkansas. For more information about Ozarks Healthcare, visit www.OzarksHealthcare.com.
