Greenwich Hospital’s stroke program was recently re-certified as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission, the nation’s leading credentialing agency for healthcare organizations. In addition, the American Heart Association (AHA) recognized the hospital with three awards for providing up-to-the-minute scientifically based care to stroke and diabetes patients.
“The Joint Commission recertification and the three awards from the American Heart Association reflect the stoke program’s goal of fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” said Karen Santucci, MD, Greenwich Hospital’s chief medical officer.
The Joint Commission certification process requires compliance with rigorous standards, incorporating best practices in treatment and care, and actively seeking opportunities for program improvement. Initially certified by the Joint Commission in 2006, Greenwich Hospital demonstrates a commitment to providing rapid identification of stroke symptoms and timely interventions to promote the best outcomes for patients with stroke.
The three AHA awards were Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Award for demonstrating best practice as reflected in performance on hospital and discharge quality measures for 24 months or more; Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll for meeting specific criteria that reduce the time between a patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with clot-busting medication; and the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll which validates patients with Type 2 diabetes, who are at higher risk for complications, receive evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke, and upon discharge, to minimize their risk for future strokes.
Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, and a leading cause of adult disability, according to the American Heart Association. Greenwich Hospital’s stroke center engages a team approach providing education on stroke prevention in the community, exceptional care while hospitalized, and clinical programs across the continuum of care.
