Advanced Stroke Certifications

Explore why stroke certifications offered by The Joint Commission in collaboration with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association are the choice of most hospitals. Certification allows you to:

1. Install a framework to standardize care processes. When care is delivered the same way every time, you are taking steps to creating a highly reliable system of care. As an organization you can be confident in the care provided.
2. Reduce variation. When care is provided uniformly while considering the nuances of the condition, patients experience consistency which can result in higher rates of satisfaction.
3. Lower risk. When care is standardized and provided consistently you can more easily gain insight into areas for improvement.

The Joint Commission offers four advanced stroke certifications for hospitals:

• Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) certification is the most demanding and is designed for those hospitals that have specific abilities to receive and treat the complex stroke cases.
• Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center (TSC) certification is designed for hospitals providing endovascular procedures and post-procedural care.
• Primary Stroke Center (PSC) certification is designed for hospitals providing the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes.
• Acute Stroke Ready Hospital (ASRH) certification is for hospitals or emergency centers with a dedicated stroke-focused program.