The Joint Commission Recognizes Stroke Program

The Joint Commission, in conjunction with The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has awarded John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County with Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. Stroger Hospital demonstrated that its program achieves long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.

Stroger Hospital underwent a rigorous on-site review on July 9, 2014. A Joint Commission expert reviewed Stroger’s compliance with the requirements for the Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification program as well as primary stroke center requirements, such as collecting data and using it to measure improvement in performance.

“In achieving Joint Commission advanced certification, the John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its stroke patients,” says Jean Range, executive director of Disease-Specific Care Certification for the Joint Commission. “Certification is a voluntary process and The Joint Commission commends CCH for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

The certification was developed in collaboration with the American Stroke Association and launched in 2003. Certification last two years and is only available to stroke programs in Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals. Ambulances carrying stroke patients will be directed to Stroger Hospital for care.

“Stroger Hospital is thoroughly committed to providing our patients the highest quality stroke care. Our program is centered on current scientific research to ensure continued improvement in treatment,” said Dr. Michael Kelly, medical director of the Stroke Program. “In addition to our Joint Commission accreditation, the Primary Stroke Center Certification has given us the opportunity to highlight the exceptional stroke care we provide to our patients and our community.”

Stroger Hospital has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval(r) and the American Heart Association Heart-Check mark for its Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. The symbols signify that Stroger Hospital provides the next generation of stroke care.

For more information on the Joint Commission and American Heart Association’s Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Center visit http://www.jointcommission.org/ or www.heart.org/myhospital.