Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s stroke program is among an elite group of 33 hospitals across the nation to be certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission.
The announcement was made jointly today by Allison Brashear, M.D., MBA, chair of neurology, and Charles L. Branch, M.D., chair of neurosurgery at Wake Forest Baptist. The certification became effective in March and remains in place for two years.
The “comprehensive” certification recognizes hospitals that have state-of-the-art infrastructure, stroke neurologists and neurosurgeons, staff and training to receive and treat patients with the most complex strokes. Wake Forest Baptist’s stroke program underwent a rigorous on-site review earlier this year when Joint Commission experts reviewed compliance with required standards for complex stroke care. Those standards include advanced imaging capabilities; dedicated neuro-intensive care beds staffed by neuro-critical care trained physicians; 24/7 availability of specialized treatments at the Medical Center and its 10-site telestroke network* throughout North Carolina; 24/7 availability of board-certified stroke neurologists, neurosurgeons and staff with the unique education and competencies to care for complex stroke patients; and participation in stroke research.
The new designation builds upon the Wake Forest Baptist’s existing Joint Commission certification as a Primary Stroke Center, and recognizes its stroke program as an industry leader responsible for setting a national standard for the full range of highly-specialized stroke care.
“Wake Forest Baptist is honored to join this select group of Comprehensive Stroke Centers,” said Cheryl D. Bushnell, M.D., director of the Stroke Center. “With our staff of dedicated stroke neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuro-critical specialists and a team of highly skilled clinicians trained in treating complex stroke patients, Wake Forest Baptist is committed to providing the full range of stroke treatment, pioneering research that will improve neurological care in our community and training the next generation of stroke physicians to continue the groundbreaking work we’re doing now.”
The Advanced Certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers was launched in September 2012 by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
*Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s Telestroke network consists of: Lexington Medical Center, Davie County Hospital, Wilkes Regional Medical Center, Ashe Memorial Hospital, Allegheny Memorial Hospital, Caldwell Memorial Hospital, Carteret General Hospital, Catawba Valley Medical Center, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and Iredell Memorial Hospital.
The announcement was made jointly today by Allison Brashear, M.D., MBA, chair of neurology, and Charles L. Branch, M.D., chair of neurosurgery at Wake Forest Baptist. The certification became effective in March and remains in place for two years.
The “comprehensive” certification recognizes hospitals that have state-of-the-art infrastructure, stroke neurologists and neurosurgeons, staff and training to receive and treat patients with the most complex strokes. Wake Forest Baptist’s stroke program underwent a rigorous on-site review earlier this year when Joint Commission experts reviewed compliance with required standards for complex stroke care. Those standards include advanced imaging capabilities; dedicated neuro-intensive care beds staffed by neuro-critical care trained physicians; 24/7 availability of specialized treatments at the Medical Center and its 10-site telestroke network* throughout North Carolina; 24/7 availability of board-certified stroke neurologists, neurosurgeons and staff with the unique education and competencies to care for complex stroke patients; and participation in stroke research.
The new designation builds upon the Wake Forest Baptist’s existing Joint Commission certification as a Primary Stroke Center, and recognizes its stroke program as an industry leader responsible for setting a national standard for the full range of highly-specialized stroke care.
“Wake Forest Baptist is honored to join this select group of Comprehensive Stroke Centers,” said Cheryl D. Bushnell, M.D., director of the Stroke Center. “With our staff of dedicated stroke neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuro-critical specialists and a team of highly skilled clinicians trained in treating complex stroke patients, Wake Forest Baptist is committed to providing the full range of stroke treatment, pioneering research that will improve neurological care in our community and training the next generation of stroke physicians to continue the groundbreaking work we’re doing now.”
The Advanced Certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers was launched in September 2012 by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
*Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s Telestroke network consists of: Lexington Medical Center, Davie County Hospital, Wilkes Regional Medical Center, Ashe Memorial Hospital, Allegheny Memorial Hospital, Caldwell Memorial Hospital, Carteret General Hospital, Catawba Valley Medical Center, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and Iredell Memorial Hospital.
Media Relations
Chad Campbell: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587
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Main Number: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587