Primary stroke centers in Mississippi

Background: According to the 2010 Mississippi Vital Statistics, 1,523 Mississippians died from stroke. This included 968 deaths among whites and 555 deaths among blacks; 614 deaths among men and 909 deaths among women.1

Objective: To articulate the system of care– quality improvement model to increase the number of Joint Commission–certified, primary stroke care centers in Mississippi from one to at least one in each of the three regions of the state.

Methods: The Mississippi Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program (HDSPP) implemented a system of care–quality improvement model to build capacity to improve quality of care for stroke patients and establish a stroke system of care. Strategies included partnering with Mississippi's first primary stroke center to meet annually with healthcare providers who diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate stroke patients, providing current evidence-based treatment guidelines, the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines patient management tool, and mentoring services to hospitals seeking to become a primary stroke center. An alliance of key stakeholders convened to establish stroke protocols.

Results: Four additional hospitals serving major metropolitan areas became Joint Commission primary stroke centers, and stroke dropped to 5th leading cause of death in Mississippi in 2010 compared to the 3rd leading cause of death in 2007. Mississippi currently has 21 GWTGs hospitals and at least one primary stroke center in the north, central, and south regions of the state. A statewide stroke coordinators network was formed to expand the system of care-quality improvement model to the central and northern regions of Mississippi and Stroke Systems of Care protocols were established.

Conclusion: Results to date indicate that stroke care is becoming a central focus for healthcare leaders in Mississippi. Increased awareness and efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care are the critical elements to achieve long-term success.