Memorial Hospital Hixson Earns 'Acute Stroke Ready Center' Certification

CHATTANOOGA, TN – CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson has received certification from DNV as an Acute Stroke Ready Center, affirming the hospital’s readiness to handle strokes and stroke related medical problems. This certification complements CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga’s DNV certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, reflecting the highest level of competence for treatment of serious stroke events.

"We are thrilled that CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson is now a DNV-certified Acute Stroke Ready Center," said Thomas Devlin, MD, PhD, CHI Memorial Neuroscience Institute medical director.  "This certification reinforces our dedication to providing exceptional stroke care to our community and complements the advanced capabilities of our Comprehensive Stroke Center at CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga."

Acute Stroke Ready Centers usually serve communities where access to a larger, more equipped hospital is too far for patients to reach in limited time.  We know that Time is Brain; the faster a patient can get to a certified stroke center, the faster the patient will be diagnosed and treated.  Saving this valuable time is known to decrease complications of a stroke.

“These certifications let our community know that we have the resources and commitment to provide the best possible stroke care,” says Kevin Hopkins, CHI Memorial market vice president of cardiovascular service line and interim director of neuroscience service line.  “It’s a combination of the right equipment, personnel, and training to quickly assess, identify, and treat strokes quickly.  This includes the ability to efficiently transfer patients in the instances they require the more advanced treatment available at our main hospital campus in Chattanooga.  Achieving certification at our Hixson campus validates the tremendous effort we have put into this program, ensuring the health and safety of our patients.”

The DNV Acute Stroke Ready (ASR) Certification is derived from evidenced-based standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association, and affirms that CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson addresses the initial diagnosis, initial treatment and, when necessary, facilitates quick transfer to a specialized stroke center with a higher spectrum of stroke care.

“Achieving certification shows a commitment to excellence,” says Kelly Proctor, President of DNV Healthcare USA Inc.  “It helps demonstrate to your community that you are providing the highest level of care that this hospital is designed to offer.”

According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is a leading cause of death, killing nearly 130,000 people each year, and is a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability.  Because stroke or “brain attack” affects blood flow to the brain, rapid and effective treatment can save lives and provide the best chance of limiting the extent of long-term damage.

About CHI Memorial

CHI Memorial, a member of CommonSpirit, is a not-for-profit, faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to the healing ministry of the Church. Founded by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, it offers a continuum of care including preventative, primary and acute hospital care, as well as cancer, cardiac, neuroscience, and stroke care, and orthopedic and rehabilitation services. CHI Memorial is a regional referral center of choice with 4,700 employees and almost 500 affiliated physicians providing health care throughout Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. To learn more, visit memorial.org.

About DNV

DNV is a global independent certification, assurance and risk management provider, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise, DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, and drives innovative solutions.

Whether certifying a company’s management system or products, accrediting hospitals, providing training, assessing supply chains or digital assets, DNV enables customers and stakeholders to make critical decisions with confidence, continually improve and realize long-term strategic goals sustainably.

DNV draws on its wide technical and industry expertise to help companies worldwide build consumer and stakeholder trust. Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies.

For more information about DNV, visit www.dnvcert.com/healthcare