Day Kimball Hospital Designated a Primary Stroke Center by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health

PUTNAM, CONN. – In recognition of its fully-implemented, evidenced-based practices for high quality stroke care, Day Kimball Hospital, part of the Day Kimball Healthcare system, today announced that it has been designated as a “Primary Stroke Center” by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH).

“Day Kimball made a commitment to develop the necessary infrastructure, staffing and services to rapidly stabilize and treat the most acute stroke patients,” said Dr. Majaz Moonis, medical director of stroke services, Day Kimball Hospital and director of stroke services, UMass Memorial Medical Center. “This designation recognizes those efforts and provides our community with confidence that they can turn to us to help in case of a stroke.”

Moonis explained that in many cases, Day Kimball Hospital collaborates with the UMass Memorial Medical Center neurology team to provide these critical services. Through videoconferencing technology, experts at UMass Medical Center can meet and speak with the patient, their family members, and the Day Kimball Hospital emergency medical team, and view CT scans all in real time. The Day Kimball and UMass physicians then collaborate on the most effective treatment plan for the patient.

“Stroke is a leading cause of death and a major cause of long-term disability in our state,” stated DPH Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen. “By fulfilling the requirements to be designated as a Primary Stroke Center, Day Kimball and its staff are demonstrating their capacity to meet best practice standards designed to decrease deaths and disabilities associated with stroke.”

According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, approximately 795,000 people suffer a stroke. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States and the fourth leading cause of death in Connecticut, as well as a major cause of disability.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, a time to elevate stroke in the mindset of everyone through simple prevention and treatment education. Day Kimball Healthcare is hosting a free seminar called “Warning Signs of Stroke” on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Kristine Bastura at 860-928-6541, extension 2409.

To learn more about Primary Stroke Centers and stroke prevention visit DPH website at www.ct.gov/dph and click “Programs and Services” and then click “Stroke Prevention.”