Emerson Health, a leader in the care of patients who have a stroke, earned advanced stroke certification by The Joint Commission in collaboration with the American Heart Association. This accreditation certifies that Emerson’s Stroke Center provides care that meets the highest standards and improves patient outcomes. The Joint Commission is the nation’s largest standards-setting accrediting organization in healthcare.
To achieve this certification, Emerson underwent a rigorous review of care provided to recent stroke patients. The Joint Commission evaluates clinical standards, processes, and staff knowledge in consultation with healthcare providers, measurement experts, and patients for the delivery of outstanding care.
“Time is critical when treating people who suffer a stroke or come to our emergency department with stroke-like symptoms,” said Christine Schuster, RN, MBA, president and CEO, Emerson Health. “Expert care and fast delivery of medications reduce the effects of stroke and can result in people surviving stroke with minimal disruptions to their life. Our team is proud to be a leader in stroke treatment.”
To help diagnose stroke quickly and accurately, Emerson has the full range of diagnostic technology on-site, including CT and MRI imaging, along with complete lab services available 24/7. In addition, through a unique program called TeleStroke, a Mass General Hospital neurologist specialized in stroke care evaluates patients via video conference and consults with Emerson’s medical team for expert care around the clock.
Emerson is a proven leader in stroke care in the community. It is a designated Primary Stroke Service hospital by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Emerson also earned the Stroke Gold Plus Designation from the American Heart Association for its excellence in treating stroke patients, and received the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. Educational information, including warning signs, and patient stories about Emerson’s stroke care are available at www.emersonhealth.org/stroke.
