FOUR PROGRAM LEVELS
Stroke Care Certification
Maximizing your patient care excellence.
I AM:
Certification vs Accreditation
These terms often are used interchangeably. A hospital seeks accreditation to achieve or maintain CMS certification. However, ACHC makes a distinction: Accreditation is the result of a comprehensive review of an entire organization while certification is based on review of an individual program within an organization.
We further differentiate Stroke Care Certification using the hospital’s capacity to meet more demanding standards. A smaller organization—a critical access hospital, for example—may provide initial diagnosis and treatment followed by immediate transfer to a facility with more resources. In this example, the first hospital may opt for Stroke Ready Certification.
A hospital with a fully staffed neurosurgical department would be eligible for Comprehensive Stroke Certification, and there are two levels in-between. Your Stroke Care Certification level guides local emergency services providers in directing patients and communicates your capabilities to your community.
Welcome
As an ACHC Certification Specialist, I am a passionate advocate for Stroke Certification. Prior to joining ACHC, I’d spent 20 of my 25 years as an RN focused on stroke care. My hospital achieved ACHC Comprehensive Stroke Certification in 2020 during my tenure as stroke coordinator. Guiding that process was rewarding and nurtured my desire to support other hospital stroke care leaders to achieve similar recognition.
We all understand that time is brain. I can personally attest that using ACHC Certification Standards as a framework for quality effectively improves the coordination of care that is essential to minimizing those critical minutes.
Across ACHC programs, our staff and surveyors are singularly focused on customer service. It’s no different when it comes to certification. We look forward to answering your questions and getting you on your way to recognized excellence through certification.
Christine Gonzalez, RN
Certification Specialist
Stroke Certification options
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Stroke Ready
For centers that collaborate with community emergency services to meet the initial needs of stroke patients
Primary Stroke
For centers that stabilize and treat acute stroke through administration of tPA and other therapies.
Thrombectomy Ready
For centers that have the capacity to perform this procedure for ischemic stroke patients
Comprehensive Stroke
For centers offering advanced treatment through neurology, neurosurgery, and neuroradiology
Ready to get started?
Staff in ACHC-certified stroke centers are invited to participate in quarterly teleconferences to share best practices and problem-solve with peers. Led by ACHC program staff, each practice sharing session includes a presentation from a certified hospital focused on a success story and concludes with open Q&A. Request complimentary access to the next session by contacting Christine Gonzalez.
ACHC Resources
To get you to the most frequently needed information, choose a link below.
Regulatory Updates
Publications
Education
Vendor Partners
Regulatory Updates
Publications
Education
Vendor Partners