During a stroke brain cells are deprived of oxygen, and if they do not get the oxygen needed they begin to die. The result is damage to the affected areas of the brain. Stroke is a leading cause of death and serious long-term physical and mental disabilities.

The longer the brain cells are deprived of blood and oxygen, the greater the chance of damage to the brain, so prompt treatment is crucial in stroke care. The Sibley Emergency Department can effectively treat patients who have experienced a stroke.

Symptoms of a stroke include:

• Facial droop, uneven smile
• Arm numbness or weakness
• Slurred speech and difficulty speaking or understanding

If symptoms appear and then disappear quickly, it may be a “mini-stroke,” called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). This can be an important warning sign of a stroke, and you should seek medical care as soon as possible even if you’re feeling better a few minutes later.

Sibley Memorial Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center

The Joint Commission, in conjunction with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, has recognized Sibley Memorial Hospital with Advanced Certification as a Primary Stroke Center. A certification as a Primary Stroke Center signifies an organization’s dedication to fostering better outcomes for patients. Sibley’s Primary Stroke Center Certification demonstrates that the program meets critical elements of performance needed to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.

Sibley underwent a rigorous on-site review in October 2014. A Joint Commission expert reviewed Sibley’s compliance with the requirements for The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification program as well as primary stroke center requirements, such as collecting Joint Commission core measure data and using it for performance improvement activities.

Developed in collaboration with the American Stroke Association and launched in 2003, The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification program is based on the Brain Attack Coalition’s Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers. Certification is available only to stroke programs in Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals.

Bundled Payment for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) 

As of October 1, 2018, Sibley Memorial Hospital is participating in a Medicare initiative called the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) Model focusing on inpatient and post-discharge care for stroke patients. As a participant, Sibley Memorial Hospital will work with Medicare to improve care for patients.

The BPCI Advanced Model is an innovative Medicare initiative that encourages doctors, hospitals and other health care providers to work more closely together so patients get better care during and following certain hospital stays. In this initiative, doctors and hospitals may work closely with certain health care providers and suppliers that help patients recover after discharge from the hospital, including skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and long term care hospitals. By working together, the health care providers are trying to more efficiently provide well-managed, high-quality, patient-centered care for stroke patients.