Emergency Medical Systems Stroke/STEMI Program
A stroke is a “brain attack”. It can happen to anyone at any time. It occurs when blood flow to an area of brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain such as memory and muscle control are lost.
How a person is affected by their stroke depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged. For example, someone who had a small stroke may only have minor problems such as temporary weakness of an arm or leg. People who have larger strokes may be permanently paralyzed on one side of their body or lose their ability to speak. Some people recover completely from strokes, but more than ⅔ of survivors will have some type of disability.
Survey
In an effort to better understand the EMS providers in our state (before a statewide Stroke protocol is developed) we would like to invite you to fill out a short survey. This survey will help influence how the systems of stroke care is developed in the State of NM. Please take the survey only once and answer honestly.
Please visit the Stroke System of Care Survey to complete this survey.
Certification of Stroke Centers
In 2014, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) developed New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) rules for the certification of stroke centers.
The rules outline the process for the NMDOH for the certification of hospitals that achieve Joint Commission Accreditation as a stroke center.
Please view the NMAC 7.27.13 rule page for details.
Accredited STEMI Centers
According to NMSA 24-10B-13 the department shall certify an acute care hospital as a STEMI receiving center or STEMI referring center if that hospital has been accredited as a STEMI receiving center or STEMI referring center by the society of cardiovascular patient care or another nationally recognized organization that provides STEMI receiving or referring accreditation.
Listed below are the hospitals that are recognized by the state for their achievements.
Receiving Centers
- Heart Hospital of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM
Referring Centers
There are no accredited STEMI referring centers at this time.
Tools for STEMI and Stroke Care
Primary Stroke Centers
These are the certified primary stroke centers in New Mexico that are recognized by the state for their achievements.
- Lea Regional Medical Center in Hobbs, NM (JCAHO).
- Moutainview Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM (JCAHO).
- University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, NM (JCAHO).
- Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, NM (JCAHO).
- Lovelace Hospital in Albuquerque, NM (DNV).
- San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, NM (DNV).
Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals
These are the certified primary stroke centers in New Mexico that are recognized by the state for their achievements.
- Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services Gallup, NM (DNV).
Recent Activity
News Articles
Latest
- New Mexicans Encouraged to Listen to Their Heart (January 31, 2017)
- High Blood Pressure: A Silent Threat (April 21, 2016)
- Encouraging New Mexicans to Listen to Their Heart (February 4, 2016)
Popular
- Be One in a Million for Heart Month (February 3, 2016)
- Valentine’s Day Not the Only Reason to Think about Your Heart (February 11, 2015)
- Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Workshop (June 13, 2014)
Publications
Latest
- NM EMS Stroke Care Card (General)
- NM STEMI Interhospital Transport Protocol (Guide)
- Stroke Assessment Tool (Form)
Resources
HOPE: A Stroke Recovery Guide — Recovery from stroke is a lifelong process. For many people recovery begins with formal rehabilitation. It is important for you and your family to know that no matter where you are in your recovery journey - there is always hope. Learn as much as you can about stroke and recovery, and the resources that are available. National Stroke Association has designed this publication to provide you with valuable information and help you on your road to recovery.
Caregiver Action Network — The Caregiver Action Network is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. We serve a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with special needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease. We are a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.
American Stroke Association — Our mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. That single purpose drives all we do. The need for our work is beyond question.
National Stroke Association — For more than 30 years we have become the trusted source for free resources and education for the entire stroke community. We develop programs across the full continuum of stroke—prevention, acute treatment, and rehabilitation. We promote life-saving stroke information, provide objective and credible information, impact survivor empowerment and stroke community quality of life, and give voice to those denied their rights because of stroke.