Mayo Clinic Hospital Primary Stroke Center Receives Re-certification Distinction by the Joint Commission

Thursday, June 17, 2010

PHOENIX — Mayo Clinic Hospital was one of the first hospitals in Arizona to be originally certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) as a Primary Stroke Center in 2006 and now receives re-certification distinction in 2010.

The Primary Stroke Center re-certification distinction was earned following a rigorous, unannounced, day-long, on-site survey of Mayo procedures, policies, charts, electronic records, facilities, staff, and patients with transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage. The comprehensive review revealed no deficiencies. The certification is in recognition of Mayo's efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care and reconfirms that Mayo Clinic Hospital has all the necessary critical elements to achieve long-term success in continually improving stroke outcomes.

"We're extremely proud to earn this distinction because it represents the highest of national standards for the assessment of stroke centers." said Joseph Sirven, M.D., neurologist and chair of the Neurology Department at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

"To be certified again and again is a reflection of our commitment to our stroke patients and ongoing research into new treatments and prevention," added Bart Demaerschalk, M.D., Mayo Clinic neurologist and director of the Primary Stroke Center.

Mayo's stroke team includes vascular neurologists, emergency physicians, endovascular surgical neuroradiologists, vascular neurosurgeons, nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists. The team is always available to assess and treat patients with acute cerebrovascular emergencies. Mayo Clinic's stroke program in Arizona also includes Stroke Telemedicine for Arizona Rural Residents (STARR) — an organized network of health care providers throughout the state to provide rural Arizona residents who suffer a stroke access to the latest in stroke care advancements.

Stroke is the nation's third leading cause of death and is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in adults.

The Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center Certification is based upon the lead recommendation for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association's guidelines for stroke care. The Joint Commission program was launched in 2003.

To request an appointment at Mayo Clinic, please call 480-422-1490 for the Arizona campus, 904-494-6484 for the Florida campus, or 507-216-4573 for the Minnesota campus.

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