Haywood Regional Medical Center (HRMC) has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Center Certification.

Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes hospitals that meet the highest national standards for stroke care. It affirms that evidence-based, around-the-clock treatment is available locally, and that systems are in place to deliver rapid, coordinated care when every minute matters. For HRMC, that means patients arriving in the emergency department are evaluated and treated through streamlined stroke protocols, ensuring timely diagnosis and intervention.

The certification followed a rigorous onsite review in which Joint Commission surveyors evaluated the hospital’s compliance with national standards in areas such as program management, clinical care, patient education, and performance improvement. The visit included direct observations and interviews with staff across multiple departments.

Preparation for the review drew on collaboration across the hospital, with leaders and staff from emergency care, nursing, clinical education, patient safety, and other areas working together. Their efforts focused on strengthening policies, providing training, and putting systems in place to meet national benchmarks. That work also emphasized tracking outcomes and care processes to ensure improvements are sustained through ongoing monitoring and staff education.

“Earning this certification reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses and staff who are committed to delivering timely, high-quality stroke care,” said HRMC’s chief executive officer Sue Shugart, FACHE, CPPS. “It affirms that patients in Haywood County can receive nationally recognized stroke services close to home.”

HRMC’s chief nursing officer LaCrystal Gordon, DNP, RN, CPPS, CENP, CPHQ added, “Stroke care is complex and time-sensitive, requiring seamless teamwork at every step. This certification validates the systems and practices our team has put in place to provide the safest, most effective care for our patients and families.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone in the United States experiences a stroke every 40 seconds. With Primary Stroke Center Certification, HRMC is prepared to respond quickly and effectively, ensuring patients receive lifesaving treatment without delay.

Recognizing the signs of stroke early can save lives. Experts recommend the BE FAST method for assessing stroke symptoms:

• B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
• E – Eyes: Sudden blurred or double vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes
• F – Face: Facial drooping or uneven smile
• A – Arms: Arm weakness or numbness
• S – Speech: Slurred or difficult speech
• T – Time: Time to call 911 immediately if any of these symptoms are present

Haywood Regional Medical Center serves Haywood County and the surrounding region with inpatient and outpatient care across a wide variety of specialties. The hospital is also an accredited Chest Pain Center, underscoring its readiness to respond to life-threatening emergencies. Together, these national designations highlight HRMC’s commitment to providing timely, high-quality care close to home.