Stamford Health Awarded Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission

Published: January 09, 2020

Stamford, CT/January 9, 2020 – Stamford Health has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification. Both the Gold Seal of Approval® and Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification are symbols of quality that reflect Stamford Health’s commitment to providing safe and effective stroke care.

An advanced Primary Stroke Center demonstrates advanced capabilities in caring for complex stroke patients. This includes:

  • Accounting for significant changes in stroke intervention guidelines;
  • Analyzing and using standardized performance measure data to continually improve treatment plants;
  • Applying clinical practice guidelines published by the AHA/ASA or equivalent evidence-based guidelines;
  • Supporting the patient’s self-management activities and tailoring treatment and intervention to individual needs;
  • Using a standardized method of delivering care based on the Brain Attack Coalition’s recommendations for the establishment of primary stroke centers.

On July 22, 2019, members of the Joint Commission visited Stamford Hospital and evaluated the entire process from the moment a patient presents with stroke, through to discharge. Joint Commission visits, performed every two years, typically entail interviews with key staff members to ensure policies and procedures are adhered to and that the organization under consideration is following clinical best practices and guidelines. Most notable were the surveyors’ observations on the compassion and clinical knowledge and expertise of the Stroke Center staff.

“We are extremely proud to have received such a high level of recognition for our stroke program from both The Joint Commission and American Stroke Association,” said Grace Capone, RN, Stroke Program Manager. “This further reinforces our team’s commitment to continue to look for ways to increase our capabilities and provide the community with a higher level of stroke care.”

The Center’s most recent significant development was the addition of the thrombectomy program in December of 2018, led by Todd Miller, MD, board-certified neuroradiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of conditions that affect the brain and spine. Thrombectomy is a minimally invasive stroke treatment that removes blood clots from the brain. To date, Dr. Miller and his team have performed 17 thrombectomies.

“Because of thrombectomy, we have been able to save many patients and almost half were able to return to live independently at home,” said Dr. Miller. “Compared with national benchmarks and results from clinical trials that proved thrombectomy is the new standard of care, the team is saving patients at rates that are better than expected.”

To learn more about the capabilities offered at Stamford Health’s Stroke Center and the warning signs of stroke, visit this page.

 

About Stamford Health

Stamford Health is a non-profit independent healthcare system with more than 3,500 employees committed to compassionately caring for the community and offering a wide range of high-quality health and wellness services. Patients and their families can rely on comprehensive person-centered care through the system’s 305-bed Stamford Hospital; Stamford Health Medical Group, with more than 30 offices in lower Fairfield County offering primary and specialty care; a growing number of ambulatory locations across the region; and support through the Stamford Hospital Foundation.

Stamford Health is also a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dedicated to being the community’s most trusted healthcare partner, Stamford Health puts patients first to build long-lasting relationships. For more information, visit StamfordHealth.org. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

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