NorthBay Healthcare’s hospitals in Fairfield and Vacaville have been certified by The Joint Commission as Advanced Primary Stroke Centers, in conjunction with The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. “This achievement reflects NorthBay’s dedication toward fostering better outcomes for our patients,” said Rhonda Martin, assistant vice president of nursing operations for NorthBay Healthcare.

Both NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville underwent rigorous on-site reviews in June. A Joint Commission expert reviewed the hospitals’ compliance with the requirements for The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification program as well as primary stroke center requirements.

When NorthBay launched its stroke program in 2010, patients suffering stroke caused by blood-clots were treated with a clot-busting medication and then transferred to a neurological institute if necessary. In the second phase, NorthBay’s hospitals could not only treat, but also admit a patient who received the clot-busting medication. The arrival of neurosurgeon Jeffrey Dembner, M.D., in 2013 meant that NorthBay could also treat hemorrhagic strokes.