MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA West Marion Hospital are honored to announce their stroke centers have each received certifications from DNV Healthcare USA Inc. recognizing their high level of competence for treatment of serious stroke events. For the 6th year in a row, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital has been certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital has been certified as a Primary Stroke Center by DNV.
“With stroke care, you must have the best clinicians and resources, as well as the ability to act organizationally with extreme efficiency because of the time-critical nature of these events,” said HCA Florida Ocala Hospital Chief Executive Officer Alan Keesee. “These certifications from DNV validate our expertise in and focus on ensuring the health and safety of our stroke patients.”
In a growing number of states, stroke center certification determines to which facility a patient should be taken for the most appropriate, reimbursable care. Comprehensive Stroke Centers such as HCA Florida Ocala Hospital are typically the largest and best-equipped hospitals in a geographical area that can treat any kind of stroke or stroke complication.
A Primary Stroke Center Certification is for medium and larger hospitals such as HCA West Marion Hospital that have the necessary staffing, infrastructure and programs to stabilize and treat most emergent stroke patients. A Primary Stroke Center can provide treatment to a broad range of stroke conditions and is able to provide some acute therapies, as well as admit patients to a designated stroke unit or to beds, specifically assigned for stroke care.
“Achieving DNV certification shows commitment to excellence,” said Kelly Proctor, president of DNV Healthcare USA Inc., “and it helps demonstrate to your community that you are performing at the highest level.”
The DNV Stroke Center certifications awarded to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital are based on standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association and affirm that the hospitals address the full spectrum of stroke care–diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education–and establish clear metrics to evaluate outcomes.
About HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital comprise a combined 585-bed hospital system, which also includes five freestanding emergency departments: HCA Florida Foxwood ER, on U.S. 27 northwest of Ocala; HCA Florida Silver Springs ER, on East Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala; HCA Florida Summerfield ER, on U.S. 441 in southern Marion County; HCA Florida Maricamp ER, on Maricamp Road in Ocala; and HCA Florida Trailwinds Village ER, in Wildwood. HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is verified by the American College of Surgeons as a Level I Trauma Center, the highest possible designation. HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is also a Comprehensive Stroke Center and is the only cancer center in Marion County approved by the Commission on Cancer. Healthgrades has ranked the system among the 250 best overall hospitals in America as well as among the 50 best hospitals in the U.S. for surgical care and vascular surgery, and among the nation’s top 100 hospitals for joint replacement, orthopedic, prostate, and spinal surgeries. The system also has been nationally recognized for excellence in patient safety, cardiac services, critical and emergency care, and neurological and rehabilitation services. The system’s outpatient facilities also encompass Family Care Specialists, a primary care network of six locations throughout Marion County, HCA Florida Ocala Imaging Center, and three surgical and physician specialty practices.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers. As one of the state’s leading healthcare networks, HCA Florida Healthcare’s 11,100 experienced doctors and more than 84,000 colleagues work together to deliver equitable, evidence-based collaborative care through more than 12 million patient encounters annually. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. In 2024, the network provided more than $1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.7 million to community organizations across the state. In addition, HCA Florida Healthcare offers patients access to highly trained specialists, including the state’s most comprehensive cardiovascular network. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is a leader in in training future healthcare professionals, offering 151 Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs at 27 different hospitals with more than 2,400 residents. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
About DNV
DNV is a global independent certification, assurance and risk management provider, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise, DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, drives innovative solutions.
Whether certifying a company’s management system or products, accrediting hospitals, providing training, assessing supply chains or digital assets, DNV enables customers and stakeholders to make critical decisions with confidence, continually improve and realize long-term strategic goals sustainably.
DNV draws on its wide technical and industry expertise to help companies worldwide build consumer and stakeholder trust. Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies.
For more information about DNV, visit dnvcert.com/healthcare.