MetroWest Medical Center Receives Awards for Stroke Care Measure

Framingham, MA – Metrowest Medical Center receives the Dysphagia Screening greater than or equal to 90% Award and the Modified Rankin Scale greater than or equal to 85% Award from the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). The Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded quality improvement collaborative administered by the DPH, that supports Primary Stroke Service hospitals. These awards recognize hospitals that complete dysphagia screening on at least 90% and the Modified Rankin Scale on at least 85% of stroke patients from January 2017 - December 2017.

“At MetroWest Medical Center, we strive to provide exceptional care to all of our patients. We are proud that our commitment to providing quality stroke care was recognized by these prestigious awards from the DPH’s Coverdell Stroke program,” said MetroWest Medical Center CEO Jeff Liebman.

Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death in the Commonwealth, and a leading cause of adult disability. Immediate assessment and treatment is critical to help improve outcomes.

Knowing the key signs and symptoms of stroke and calling 9-1-1 immediately can save a life. The F.A.S.T. acronym is an easy way to remember:

• Face: Does the face look uneven? Ask the person to smile
• Arm: Does one arm drift down? Ask the person to raise both arms
• Speech: Does the speech sound strange? Ask the person to repeat a phrase
• Time: If you observe these symptoms, call 9-1-1

For more information about the Massachusetts Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program, or about FAST and the DPH stroke awareness campaign, please visit: www.mass.gov/dph/heartstroke. If you are interested in interviewing a member of our team about this award, please call Daisy Burroughs at 803-477-4926 or email [email protected].