ARMC is Awarded Primary Stroke Certification

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) was recently awarded Primary Stroke Certification from the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP). Primary Stroke Certification serves as a notice that ARMC has the capacity to stabilize and treat acute stroke patients, provide acute care, and administer tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and other acute therapies safely and efficiently. ARMC’s Primary Stroke Center first earned certification by HFAP in 2010. “This certification signifies that ARMC has demonstrated and is clearly committed to providing excellent stroke care to its patients,” said Josh Prober, Chief Executive Officer of HFAP. “Hospitals that have established stroke centers have demonstrated improved treatment, better patient outcomes, and reduced costs. Moreover, Primary Stroke Centers have the required infrastructure and protocols in place to stabilize and provide rapid and evidence-based care to acute stroke patients.” HFAP has been certifying stroke centers since 2006 and is the nation’s only accreditation program that certifies the full Stroke Continuum – Stroke Ready, Primary Stroke and Comprehensive Stroke. HFAP stroke certification differs from other certification programs in that it provides a three-year certification award with a mid-cycle review at 18 months. Hospitals must submit quarterly clinical performance measures to the HFAP office and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In order to achieve Primary Stroke Certification, ARMC had to meet the following standards: • The stroke medical director (Dr. Dan Miulli at ARMC) must have extensive experience in acute stroke • Stroke code team arrival at bedside must be within 15 minutes • Lab testing and advanced imaging capabilities must be available 24/7 • Must have access to neurologists 24/7 • Must have neurosurgical expertise available or able to transfer patients within two hours • Must have a designated stroke unit • Staff must meet strict stroke education requirements “We are proud to once again achieve HFAP’s prestigious Primary Stroke Certification. Our staff has worked tirelessly to achieve this certification and it reflects our dedication to excellent patient care and service,” said ARMC Medical Director, Dr. Richard Pitts. “In awarding us Primary Stroke Certification, HFAP has provided us with the opportunity to celebrate the exceptional stroke care we provide to our patients and our commitment to the well-being of our community and surrounding communities,” said Dr. Miulli, a neurosurgeon and director of ARMC’s Stroke Program. HFAP is a not-for-profit accreditation organization with deeming authority from CMS. This authority allows HFAP to provide accreditation to all hospitals, ambulatory care/surgical facilities, mental health facilities, physical rehabilitation facilities, clinical laboratories and critical access hospitals. The HFAP mission is to advance high quality patient care and safety through objective application of recognized standards.