Michael August
Tennova Health-Clarksville Demonstrates Expertise in Caring for Stroke Patient
Earlier this year, Tennova Healthcare - Clarksville was named a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, an important recognition of the quality of stroke care provided at the hospital. And, that's a good thing for Michael August.
Michael lives in Nashville, but has always enjoyed visiting Clarksville. He has friends in the area and enjoys the community feel. After spending 22 years in the U.S. Navy, he also appreciates Montgomery County's military presence and community support. However, one of his recent visits took an unexpected turn when he was taken to the hospital with symptoms consistent with a stroke.
Michael woke up on the morning of June 15 with numbness on the left side of his face and left arm. While he hoped it was nothing, he also knew the importance of timely intervention if stroke symptoms are present. So, Michael called 911 and was transported to Tennova Healthcare — Clarksville.
Michael said that even though the Emergency Department was busy, every staff member put him at ease and went out of their way to provide him with updates and support.
"The ER staff was amazing," said Michael. "They told me everything that was going on and just made me feel as comfortable as possible. I was nervous because I had never experienced anything like this before, but they were cheerful and concerned and always let me know what the next step would be."
Michael was treated in the ER and admitted to Tennova for further evaluation and treatment. An MRI confirmed that he had experienced a small stroke.
"They did everything; they covered every base," said Michael. "The MRI staff was very kind and caring and made sure I was okay during the procedure. The specialists who conducted other testing were the same. And my doctor kept me informed both in the ER and after I was admitted. The entire team was amazing."
Michael was discharged after two nights at Tennova and is on the road to recovery. When asked if there was anything he'd like to say to his care team, he simply replied, "I'm extremely, extremely grateful."
Established in 2003, certification for Primary Stroke Centers includes a rigorous onsite review which evaluates compliance with stroke certification standards, including program management, community education, and delivering and facilitating clinical care. Certification is awarded for a two-year period to The Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals.
Stroke is the number four cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.
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