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Johns Hopkins Becomes First Hospital in Maryland to Earn 'Comprehensive Stroke Center' Designation - 07/24/2013

Johns Hopkins Becomes First Hospital in Maryland to Earn 'Comprehensive Stroke Center' Designation

Release Date: July 24, 2013

The Johns Hopkins Hospital is the first in Maryland to have its stroke center recognized as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission.

The designation puts Johns Hopkins in an elite group of providers focused on highly specialized stroke care. It recognizes those hospitals that have state-of-the-art infrastructure, staff and training to receive and treat patients with the most complex strokes. Among the requirements for certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center are having advanced imaging capabilities, 24/7 availability of specialized treatments, and staff with the unique education and competencies to care for the most difficult-to-treat stroke patients. Also taken into account are quality improvement programs, performance measures and safety standards.

Johns Hopkins is also the first hospital in Maryland to earn the same designation from the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS), which oversees emergency services in the state.

“This is another validation that we are able to provide our patients the highest standard of care,” says Victor C. Urrutia, M.D., director of the renamed Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Stroke Center and an assistant professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “This emphasis in quality improvement, performance measures and safety standards saves lives and we are always working to improve the delivery of care. We are pleased to have this stamp of approval.”

Johns Hopkins earned its designation in June after a lengthy process. The nationwide program was launched by The Joint Commission in September 2012; there are currently 47 certified comprehensive stroke centers in the United States.

The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization, is the nation's largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

“Certification is a voluntary process, and The Joint Commission commends Johns Hopkins for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate the standard of its care for the community it serves,” says Mark R. Chassin, M.D., M.P.H., president of The Joint Commission.

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