SSRH Achieves Acute Stroke Ready Certification from The Joint Commission
6/2/2021
Siloam Springs Regional Hospital (SSRH) has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Acute Stroke Ready Certification. Acute Stroke Ready Hospital Certification recognizes hospitals that meet standards to support better outcomes for stroke care as part of a stroke system of care.
“This certification is great news for the City of Siloam Springs and our surrounding communities,” said Adam Pinion, RN, emergency department director for SSRH and Northwest Health Emergency Department – Fayetteville. “If you are having signs or symptoms of a stroke, SSRH can identify, diagnose and begin treatment immediately.”
Pinion explained, as soon as a patient is identified with signs or symptoms of stroke, a “code stroke” is activated which alerts the hospital’s radiology department to the emergent condition. A computerized tomography (CT) scan to confirm or rule out stroke is the first line in identification. Then a consult with AR SAVES is the next step.
Through the AR SAVES program, SSRH uses a high-speed video communications system to help provide immediate, life-saving treatments to stroke patients 24 hours a day. The real-time video communication enables a stroke neurologist to evaluate whether emergency room physicians should use a powerful blood-clot dissolving agent within the critical three-hour period following the first signs of stroke.
“Because Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is part of Northwest Health system, it gives our patients access to a higher level of care once initial treatment is completed,” said Michele Sharp, risk management coordinator at Northwest Health.
To receive this certification, SSRH underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
“We’re very proud of the hard work and dedication our emergency department team put into earning this certification,” said Adam Bracks, SSRH chief executive officer. “Now that SSRH is acute stroke ready, we are further prepared to provide quality healthcare to the people in our community.”
“Acute Stroke Ready Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” said Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, accreditation and certification operations, and chief nursing executive, of The Joint Commission. “We commend Siloam Springs Regional Hospital for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for stroke patients.”
This certification is provided through a partnership between the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and The Joint Commission, the nation’s largest independent healthcare evaluation body. Eligibility standards include:
- A dedicated stroke-focused program
- Staffing by qualified medical professionals trained in stroke care
- A relationship with local emergency management systems (EMS) that encourages training in field assessment tools and communication with the hospital prior to bringing a patient with a stroke to the emergency department
- Access to stroke expertise 24 hours a day, seven days a week (in person or via telemedicine) and transfer agreements with facilities that provide primary or comprehensive stroke services
- 24/7 ability to perform rapid diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing to facilitate the administration for IV thrombolytics in eligible patients
- Streamlined flow of patient information while protecting patient rights, security and privacy
- Use of data to assess and continually improve quality of care for stroke patients
“We congratulate Siloam Springs Regional Hospital for this outstanding achievement,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, of the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”
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