By demonstrating that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients, Susquehanna Health’s (SH) Williamsport Hospital & Medical Center (TWH&MC) now carries the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers. The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association’s statements/guidelines for stroke care. The Joint Commission launched the program—the nation’s first—in 2003.

What Does Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Certification Mean?

Because Joint Commission standards are regarded as the most rigorous in the industry, Joint Commission-certified disease management programs have demonstrated their commitment to providing quality care to their patients. Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ is a clear sign that certified programs have demonstrated compliance with the most stringent standards of performance.

Our Stroke Care Continuum

A comprehensive continuum of stroke care consists of the following processes: preventative screenings and education, specific stroke care protocols when Emergency Responders receive the call, specialized inpatient care, including Rehabilitation and numerous forms of outpatient care after the patient has been discharged to home or a community setting. Because prevention is always the best measure, the stroke continuum begins with community screenings. To date, we provided free stroke screenings to over 400 people in the region. And when paramedics identify someone as having the signs/symptoms of a stroke, they contact our Emergency department immediately so the stroke team can be activated. This includes alerting the radiology and laboratory departments so appropriate treatments that can help minimize the effects of a stroke can be administered in a timely manner. Stroke patients are admitted to a specialized unit with staff specially trained in stroke care, including the use of stroke specific care pathways. Finally, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, complete the stroke care continuum. These highly streamlined care processes are designed to improve stroke patient outcomes because time lost during a stroke means brain function lost.

Who is The Joint Commission?

The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization established over 50 years ago. Joint Commission is the world leader in evaluating the quality and safety of care delivered in over 15,000 health care organizations across the country including disease management services, home care providers, hospitals, nursing homes, and behavioral health centers. The Joint Commission is governed by a board that includes physicians, nurses, and consumers. The Joint Commission sets the standards by which health care quality is measured in America and around the world.