Central Georgia Stroke Coalition

Community Health Works is pleased to announce the organization’s latest efforts to improve the quality and coordination of regional health services through the development of the Central Georgia Stroke Coalition. Members of the coalition include local healthcare executives and providers from area hospitals, EMS, rehabilitation services, and other healthcare partners throughout the North Central Health District, which covers 13 counties—Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Hancock, Houston, Jasper, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Putnam, Twiggs, Washington, and Wilkinson. The coalition is being developed in partnership with the North Central Health District, with strategic planning and technical assistance provided by the American Stroke Association (a division of the American Heart Association), and Mercer University’s Department of Community Health. Three target goals lay the foundation for the work of the coalition:

1) To carefully assess the quality and effectiveness of the current system of stroke care that is in place for Central Georgia (which will include identifying the existing health resources, services, or other assets already in place to provide the entire continuum of stroke care to the community and region).

The assessment will cover six primary areas of stroke care: primordial and primary prevention, notification of emergency medical services (EMS) for stroke, acute treatment for stroke, sub-acute care (or secondary prevention) for stroke, and rehabilitation of stroke patients.

2) To address any existing gaps or areas in the system of stroke care that need improvement

3) To convene stroke care experts and jointly develop a strategic plan for the coalition to implement over the next several years that will improve the quality and coordination of stroke care for central Georgia

On Friday, March 5th, more than 20 leaders from the local healthcare community convened at the Peyton Anderson Community Services Center for the inaugural meeting of the Central Georgia Stroke Coalition. Participants spent the afternoon working through a detailed assessment of the region’s current stroke care system, an important first step in improving the quality of stroke care for central Georgia. A detailed summary of the meeting discussions will be available on the Stroke Coalition website soon.

Every single participant at the meeting offered unique, vital insight and expertise that will guide the strategic plan for improving stroke care in the region. We anticipate that this group will continue to grow as we identify other health partners and providers whose membership on the coalition will be vital to the strategic planning process. We welcome participation and input from any members of the health care community with specific interests or expertise in the area of stroke care. Information and meeting dates for the coming months will soon be posted on the Stroke Coalition website.  Finally, the linked article, titled Recommendations for the Establishment of Stroke Systems of Care: Recommendations from the American Stroke Association’s Task Force on the Development of Stroke Systems, offers specific recommendations and guidance for the Central Georgia Stroke Coalition.

Contact Community Health Works at (478)254-5200 for more information about how to get involved. Please join us in our vision of achieving better health for all people through communities working together!

Upcming Events

1. April 14 (11am-1pm): River Edge Behavioral Health Center, Training Room A
2. May 11 (11am-1pm): River Edge Behavioral Health Center, Assembly Room
3. June 2 (11am-1pm): Peyton Anderson Community Services Center,
   Juanita Jordan Conference Room
4. June 23 (11am-1pm): Peyton Anderson Community Services Center,
   Juanita Jordan Conference Room

River Edge Behavioral Health Center is located at
175 Emery Highway Macon, Georgia 31217

The Peyton Anderson Community Services Center is located at
277 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Macon, Georgia 31201

Additional Documents

Journal Article: Recommendations for the Establishment of Stroke Systems of Care (PDF)

March 5, 2010 Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Stroke Systems Plan and Assessment Template (DOC)

Stroke Coalition Meeting Power Point (PPT)