June 21, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by Sanford Health.

Sanford USD Medical Center has been named a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. This is the highest level of certification hospitals can receive for treating the most complex stroke cases.

Sanford USD Medical Center is the only Comprehensive Stroke Center in South Dakota.

The Joint Commission surveyed Sanford USD Medical Center in February. To be considered a Comprehensive Stroke Center, a program must meet several criteria, including:

• Having a dedicated neuro-intensive care unit and neurocritical care providers available 24/7.
• Employing a specialized cerebrovascular neurosurgery team who can handle any brain vessel pathology with microsurgery and endovascular approaches.
• Being committed to continual improvement to meet strict outcome criteria.
• Meeting or exceeding a minimum number of patients served with various surgical or pharmaceutical stroke treatments.
• Having outstanding stroke research and education programs.

The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs in the U.S. It is recognized nationwide. Accreditation or certification from The Joint Commission signifies an organization’s commitment to meeting high-performance standards.

When it comes to recognizing strokes, every second counts. Remember the signs of a stroke and the acronym BE FAST. Get help right away if you experience these symptoms:

• Sudden loss of Balance.
• Lost vision in one or both Eyes.
• Facial drooping.
• Arm weakness.
• Speech difficulty.
• If those signs are present, then it’s Time to call 911.