Mercy Hospital has earned a new, upgraded certification as a comprehensive stroke center, becoming the first hospital in the region to be so designated by the Joint Commission accrediting organization.
The designation from the Joint Commission reflects advances in stroke treatment and identifies stroke centers with state-of-the-art equipment, staff and training to offer complex procedures 24 hours a day.
You have to be able to treat the most complex cases, said Holly Bowser, vice president of neurosciences for Catholic Health.
The accreditation sets standards and best practices, Bowser said.
So far, three hospitals in New York State, including South Buffalos Mercy Hospital, have gained the Joint Commissions higher comprehensive certification.
The stroke program for Kaleida Health which in 2012 consolidated its heart, stroke and vascular care services into the Gates Vascular Institute on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is accredited by a different organization, Det Norske Veritas Healthcare Inc., or DNV.
Kaleida Health expects DNV to survey its stroke program, one of the busiest in the state, later this month as part of Kaleidas effort to gain DNVs certification as a comprehensive stroke center.
Catholic Health and Kaleida Health compete for stroke patients and, like other facilities nationwide, use accreditation as a marketing tool.
Catholic Health quickly touted Mercys new designation on a billboard near the medical campus, not far from Kaleida Healths stroke center in the Gates Vascular Institute.
The Joint Commission and DNV, following guidelines established by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Associations Brain Attack Coalition, introduced their upgraded designations in 2012. A comprehensive center is a step up from a primary stroke center.
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Mercy Hospital earns certification as a comprehensive stroke center