Dec 14, 2023

EXETER — Exeter Hospital has received certification as a Primary Stroke Center from DNV, affirming the hospital’s readiness to handle a full range of stroke-related medical problems.

“This certification lets our community know we have the resources and commitment to provide the best possible stroke care,” says Donna McKinney, Vice President of Acute Care/Cancer Services and Chief Nurse Executive of Exeter Hospital. “That means we have a combination of the right equipment, personnel and training to quickly assess and treat strokes. This also includes the ability to efficiently transfer patients in the rare instances they require treatment beyond our capabilities. Achieving certification validates all the effort we have put into this program and to ensuring the health and safety of our patients.”

The DNV Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association, and affirms that the medical center addresses the full spectrum of stroke care – diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education – and establishes clear metrics to evaluate outcomes.

“Achieving certification shows commitment to excellence,” says Kelly Proctor, President of DNV Healthcare USA Inc. “And it helps demonstrate to your community that you are performing at the highest level.”

Aug 7, 2023

EXETER — Exeter Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® — Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

“Exeter Hospital is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Donna McKinney, Vice President of acute care/cancer services and Chief Nurse Executive of Exeter Hospital. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in the Seacoast area can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.

Exeter Hospital also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Exeter Hospital for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

Sep 14, 2023

EXETER — The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), Aliso Viejo, California, recently conferred a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the Progressive Care Unit (PCU) at Exeter Hospital, part of Beth Israel Lahey Health. The hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) also holds a Beacon Award, which was conferred in 2022. Exeter Hospital is currently the only hospital in New Hampshire holding a Beacon Award.

The Beacon Award for Excellence – a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments – recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that achieve this three-year, three-level award meet national criteria consistent with the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.

“I am beyond excited for the PCU staff to win this award for the fourth time,” said Elizabeth Keane, director of Exeter Hospital’s PCU. “This award represents their dedication to nursing excellence for over 10 years. All the PCU staff past and present should be proud of this accomplishment.”

The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence earned by the PCU at Exeter Hospital signifies an effective approach to policies, procedures and processes that includes engagement of staff and key stakeholders. The unit has evaluation and improvement strategies in place and good performance measures when compared to relevant benchmarks. The PCU earned its silver award by meeting the following evidence-based Beacon Award for Excellence criteria:

• Leadership Structures and Systems
• Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement
• Effective Communication, Knowledge Management and Learning and Development
• Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
• Outcome Measurement

AACN President Terry Davis, PhD, RN, NE-BC, CHTP, FAAN, applauds the exemplary efforts of the caregivers at the Progressive Care Unit at Exeter Hospital for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence.

“These dedicated healthcare professionals join other members of the exceptional community of nurses who set the standard for optimal patient care,” Davis said. “The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in stellar units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes. Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care.”

Exeter Hospital receives Primary Stroke Center Certification Dec 14, 2023

Exeter Hospital Receives National Recognition for Care of Stroke Patients Aug 7, 2023

PCU at Exeter Hospital Honored with Silver Beacon Award for Excellence Sep 14, 2023