The teamwork at Memorial Hospital of Gardena was on display Nov. 10 as the hospital received recertification of The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Receiving Center designation. The recertification will continue for two years.
Stroke coordinator Frances Mayeda, RN, credits teamwork throughout the hospital for the survey success.
“Everyone on all the floors, our nurses, physicians and other staff, all contribute to making our stroke readiness so effective,” Mayeda said.
The day-long survey was conducted by two surveyors from The Joint Commission. One observer from the Los Angeles EMS department also took part.
Among the learnings from the survey are a few areas for improvement, which Mayeda says will be getting prompt attention. These include:
- Door to needle time – Reduce the time from when a patient arrives in the Emergency Department to when they receive the clot-busting medication.
- Documentation – Ensure nursing staff consistently document on stroke patients at the required frequency.
- Education – Patient education should occur on every shift—consistently–with discussion about risk factors for stroke, the need to stop smoking and other topics.
Hospital CEO Victor Carrasco relayed his congratulations to employees, describing the recertification as validation of the important work provided in stroke care.
Asked what our other Pipeline Health hospitals might learn from Gardena, Mayeda emphasized that everyone needs to understand BE FAST.
“The BE FAST acronym reminds us of the signs of a stroke, with emphasis on the importance of taking prompt action, which can save a life,” Mayeda said.
11.25.2025