Columbus Community Hospital Publishes 2024–25 Stroke Team Annual Report
Columbus Community Hospital is proud to announce the release of its 2024-25 stroke team annual report. The report shows CCH's dedication to providing exceptional stroke care and highlights the hospital's recent achievements and key initiatives.
In the United States, a stroke occurs every three minutes and 11 seconds. CCH emphasizes the critical importance of rapid, expert treatment. The hospital’s stroke team — which includes doctors, nurses, radiology technicians, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel — works seamlessly to deliver timely and coordinated care.
“The report is a testament to the seamless integration of our multidisciplinary stroke team,” said Natalie Sprunk, RN, CCH's stroke service line coordinator. “Our coordinated efforts, from the initial EMS assessment to emergency department triage and specialized neurological intervention, collectively enhance patient outcomes and improve post-stroke prognoses.”
“Stroke risk is influenced by several health and lifestyle factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, lack of physical activity and irregular heart rhythms,” said Sue Deyke, the hospital’s emergency room director. “Reducing these risks requires a community-wide effort. The first step is education — helping people understand what puts them at risk. But knowledge alone isn't enough. Encouraging regular check-ups with primary care providers and supporting healthier daily habits — like staying active, eating well and quitting smoking — can make a powerful difference. By working together to promote awareness and healthier choices, we can help prevent strokes and build a stronger, healthier community.”
Through coordinated efforts across clinical teams and continuous quality improvement initiatives, each of these metrics has shown consistent and measurable progress. These improvements reflect a commitment to enhancing stroke outcomes and ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care.
“We are incredibly proud to share the annual report, which not only details our commitment to high-quality care, but also serves as a vital resource for the community,” said Dr. Mark Howerter, chief medical officer at CCH. “By understanding the information within, including how to recognize stroke symptoms with BE FAST, we can work together to improve outcomes and save lives.”
The 2024-25 stroke team annual report is a comprehensive look at CCH’s efforts to lead in stroke care and community education. To access the full report, visit https://www.columbushosp.org/Content/Uploads/ColumbusHosp/files/Stroke_annualreport0625web.pdf.