Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check Mark for Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Certification.
Launched in 2003, this designation is reserved for Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals and awarded for a two-year period. The Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Certification is the most demanding stroke certification and is designed for hospitals that have specific abilities to receive and treat the most complex stroke cases. Ochsner Medical Center has been an advanced comprehensive stroke center for the past nine years.
Ochsner underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review in April 2022. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management and delivering and facilitating surgical and clinical care of stroke patients. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
“Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, accreditation and certification operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Ochsner for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for stroke patients.”
“Every moment matters during a stroke, so it’s critically important to act fast. Having access to high quality and all-inclusive stroke care in our community is an important resource, as Louisiana unfortunately has one of the highest incidence rates of stroke in the U.S. We are truly passionate about providing the best stroke care possible for the people of New Orleans and surrounding areas,” said Richard Zweifler, MD, system chair of neurology, Ochsner Health.