News at UI Health

The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) has been recognized by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association as meeting The Joint Commission's standards for Disease-Specific Care Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification, which means it is part of an elite group of providers focused on complex stroke care. Comprehensive Stroke Centers are recognized as industry leaders and are responsible for setting the national agenda in highly-specialized stroke care.

Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification recognizes those hospitals that have state-of-the-art infrastructure, staff and training to receive and treat patients with the most complex strokes. UI Health  underwent a rigorous onsite review this past May. Joint Commission experts reviewed UI Health's  compliance with the Comprehensive Stroke Center standards and requirements including advanced imaging capabilities, 24/7 availability of specialized treatments, and staff with the unique education and competencies to care for complex stroke patients. Only 70 hospitals around the country-five in Illinois and two in Chicago-are currently in this group.

"By achieving this advanced certification, UI Health has thoroughly demonstrated the greatest level of commitment to the care of its patients with a complex stroke condition," says Mark R. Chassin, M.D., FACP, M.P.P., M.P.H., president, The Joint Commission. "Certification is a voluntary process and The Joint Commission commends UI Health for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate the standard of care for the communities we serve."

Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification was developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and derived from the Brain Attack Coalition's "Recommendations for Comprehensive Stroke Centers," (Stroke, 2005), and "Metrics for Measuring Quality of Care in Comprehensive Stroke Centers," (Stroke, 2011), and on recommendations from a multidisciplinary advisory panel of experts in complex stroke care.  

"The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association congratulates UI Health on its Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification," commented Mark J. Alberts, M.D., FAHA, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association spokesperson and incoming Vice-Chair of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics at UT Southwestern Medical Center. "Comprehensive Stroke Centers offer a high level of care for patients with the most severe and challenging types of strokes and cerebrovascular disease."  

"UI Health is thoroughly committed to providing our patients with the highest quality stroke care based on current scientific research to ensure continuous improvement in care, and the best possible outcomes." said UI Health's CEO, Dr. Ghosh. "Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification has given us the opportunity to highlight the exceptional stroke care we provide for our patients, and improved overall care for the benefit of our community."

Click here for more information on UI Health's Stroke Institute.