Nursing Professional Joins HCWP Staff For Stroke Project
WARRENDALE, Pa., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Jane Ann Montgomery, BSN, MBA, has joined the staff of Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania as the lead clinician for a special stroke-related project. The goal of the project is to improve stroke outcomes in rural areas of western Pennsylvania.
The project was developed because each year 23,000 Pennsylvanians are affected by stroke. Nationwide, stroke is the third leading cause of death. In 2003, there were 8,180 stroke deaths in Pennsylvania.
Hospital Council is partnering with several other organizations on this project, "Improving Stroke Outcomes in Rural Western Pennsylvania." The one- year rural outreach program is funded through a grant of $192,000 from the Highmark Foundation. Hospital Council is also partnering with the American Heart Association on this project.
As the key clinical outreach coordinator for this project, Montgomery will meet with hospital administrators, clinical leaders and community representatives in targeted rural areas to determine what resources exist to identify and treat stroke patients and what additional resources may be needed. After determining what resources are needed, she will assist the hospital in formulating strategies to enhance the treatment of stroke patients.
A second key part of the work plan will be to raise people's awareness of stroke risk factors as well as signs and symptoms of strokes. This is important because optimal outcomes are achieved when stroke victims are treated within three hours of the onset of symptoms.
"Both Hospital Council and its members will benefit from Jane's expertise, education and experience." said Frederick Peterson, director of Constituent Services for Hospital Council. "We are delighted to have Jane join us as we begin to address this critical issue."
Hospital Council has identified 22 counties in western Pennsylvania and the focus of the first phase of the project is on a four-county area including Armstrong, Indiana, Clarion and Jefferson.
Once the introductory meetings are complete, Montgomery will assist interested hospitals in meeting the standards established by the American Stroke Association. Montgomery will assist those hospitals in developing stroke care pathways, providing staff education, providing links for physician education and conducting community stroke education. In addition, continuing education will also be offered to local emergency medical service personnel.
"I am looking forward to working with hospitals throughout the region on improving stroke outcomes," said Montgomery
Besides her position at Hospital Council, Montgomery serves as Executive Director, administrative services for Full Circle Solutions, a consulting company that provides continuing education to long-term care facilities. Her clinical experience includes working as director of nursing for United Community Hospital in Grove City, Pennsylvania; and as clinical supervisor, orthopedics at Allegheny General Hospital, in Pittsburgh. She has also held several other nursing positions in California and Arizona.
Montgomery is a member of PANPHA and has given several presentations and lectures on leadership, team building, workplace violence and staff empowerment, among other topics. She holds a master's degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University in (city), California, and a bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona.
She resides in Grove City, Pennsylvania, with her husband Roger and her children Linsey, 16, and Katie 14.
Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania is a regional membership association which provides support to healthcare providers throughout the region. Hospital Council provides data, information, advocacy, education and consultative support to hospitals, specialty care facilities, nursing homes and other providers throughout western Pennsylvania.
Hospital Council of Western PennsylvaniaCONTACT: Patricia Raffaele of Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania,+1-724-772-7202, or raffaelp@hcwp.org