SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 427 Offered January 16, 2007 Commending Virginia's certified Primary Stroke Centers. ---------- Patron-- Potts ----------

WHEREAS, stroke is the third leading cause of death in Virginia and the United States, responsible for approximately 150,000 deaths nationwide and 3,000 deaths in the Commonwealth each year; and

WHEREAS, stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.8 million stroke survivors in the country today; and

WHEREAS, in 2006, the estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke in the United States was about $58 billion; and

WHEREAS, The Brain Attack Coalition classifies a Primary Stroke Center as a hospital-based center that stabilizes and provides optimal emergent care to acute stroke patients and admits patients and provides further care depending on a patient’s needs and the capabilities of the center; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) has developed a certification program for Primary Stroke Centers based on recommendations from The Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association; and

WHEREAS, achievement of certification from the Joint Commission signifies that the services provided by the Primary Stroke Center have the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes and serves as a signal to the community that the quality care provided is effectively managed to meet the unique and specialized needs of stroke patients; and

WHEREAS, eight Virginia hospitals have achieved JCAHO certification as Primary Stroke Centers, and other hospitals across the Commonwealth are in the process of becoming certified; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, that the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, CJW Medical Center in Richmond, Inova Alexandria Hospital, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, and Winchester Medical Center, Inc., for achieving Primary Stroke Center certification; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Clerk of the Senate prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to the above hospitals as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for their dedication to improving treatment for stroke patients in the Commonwealth.