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CLINTON, MD- Southern Maryland Hospital Center has announced its official designation as a certified Primary Stroke Center by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS). The designation --in place since August 2 of this year-- could literally mean the difference between life and death for many residents of P.G. County and outlying Southern Maryland areas.
Where effectively treating stroke is concerned, the most-qualified teams and facilities are not always closest to patients when they begin to show symptoms. "Emergency workers are allowed to bring patients to centers they feel are most qualified to treat a condition," said Peggy Murphy, RN, and "In the past, we’ve received patients from as far away as St. Charles County, Indian Head, and Hughesville. We’ve treated patients from as far north as Malcolm Grove who left without any neurological deficits. In many ways, becoming a Primary Stroke Center shows a long tradition of excellence in stroke treatment."
Because Southern Maryland Hospital Center has met rigorous stroke response standards set forth by the state and the National Institutes of Health, emergency workers will bypass facilities without designation in order to ensure the best possible chance for patients exhibiting certain stroke symptoms. According to MIEMSS, Primary Stroke Centers play "pivotal roles" in a statewide acute stroke system of care. At this time, Southern Maryland Hospital Center is one of only two hospitals in the Southern Maryland region to receive designation.
7401 Surratts Road = Clinton, MD 20735
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