Erlanger awarded stroke certification

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

photo Erlanger tile

Erlanger's Southeast Regional Stroke Center has been awarded the Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the U.S.

Health care systems awarded the certification are recognized for having state-of-the-art infrastructure, and the capability to treat patients with acute to the most complex stroke cases, Erlanger officials said in a press release.

"I am extremely proud that Erlanger's stroke team has been recognized as part of an elite group of providers focusing on complex stroke care," Erlanger CEO Kevin Spiegel said. "We are now one of only 68 hospitals in the nation with this distinction, and the only one in this region," he noted.

Erlanger's stroke center team underwent a rigorous onsite review before receiving the certification. The Joint Commission surveyors studied whether Erlanger met specific requirements like advanced imaging capabilities, 24/7 availability of specialized treatments and staff with the unique education to care for complex stroke patients.

"By achieving this advanced certification, Erlanger has thoroughly demonstrated the greatest level of commitment to the care of its patients with a complex stroke condition," said Dr. Mark Chassin, president of The Joint Commission, who explained that certification is a voluntary process.

Erlanger's cardiovascular center team was also recently awarded the Joint Commission's Certification for Acute Myocardial Infarction - making Erlanger the second hospital in Tennessee to earn the accreditation, Spiegel said.