Mercy Fort Smith Stroke Program Earns Reaccreditation from Joint Commission

FORT SMITH – Mercy Hospital Fort Smith’s stroke program recently earned reaccreditation from Joint Commission, an independent, evidence-based standards setting organization that sets the benchmark for safe, high-quality patient care through accreditation. This accomplishment formally recognizes Mercy Fort Smith’s ongoing commitment to meeting rigorous performance standards and delivering the safest, highest quality care to its patients.

Mercy Fort Smith underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite survey in July. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission surveyors assessed compliance across key areas such as provision of care, treatment and services, leadership, performance measurement, data collection, quality, education, information management and more.

“I am incredibly proud of our Mercy Fort Smith stroke team and caregivers for earning reaccreditation from Joint Commission,” said Ryan Gehrig, president of Mercy Fort Smith Communities. “This recognition underscores the exceptional quality of care we provide day in and day out. It’s a testament to their clinical excellence and shows that we remain committed to the highest standards in stroke prevention, treatment and recovery right here in our community.” 

Joint Commission surveyors conducted on-site observations and interviews to identify performance strengths and opportunities for continued improvement. With decades of expertise and a data-driven accreditation process, Joint Commission helps ensure health care organizations adhere to leading quality and safety practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and commitment to better patient care.

Community education is an important element of The Joint Commission certification. Mercy Fort Smith’s stroke program achieved its initial accreditation in 2014 and holds regular public group meetings for stroke survivors and their loved ones. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, about 30 Arkansans are hospitalized due to stroke every day. Stroke educators recommend remembering the acronym FAST in addressing a possible stroke:

• FACE: Ask for a smile. Does the person’s face droop?
• ARMS: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?
• SPEECH: Is it slurred or strange?
• TIME: If any signs are observed, call 9-1-1 immediately.

“Joint Commission congratulates Mercy Fort Smith for achieving accreditation by demonstrating its focus on delivering safe and effective care of the highest quality and value,” said Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, Joint Commission executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer. “Through the accreditation process, we worked closely with Mercy to enable and affirm the highest standards of health care quality and patient safety. Together, we are elevating care for all patients, and we appreciate Mercy’s collaboration throughout this process.”

For more information, please visit Joint Commission’s website.