NORTHWEST INDIANA | Community Hospital, Northwest Indiana’s only accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center, has earned recertification and the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing exceptional care to patients who experience the most severe types of strokes.
As part of the recertification process, Community Hospital in Munster underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review by the Joint Commission. During the visit, reviewers conducted observations, interviews and evaluations of Community Hospital’s compliance with Joint Commission certification standards, which are developed in consultation with healthcare providers, measurement experts and patients.
“When someone suffers a stroke, time is not on their side,” said Jill Conner, executive director of Neuroscience Services for Community Healthcare System. “Our Comprehensive Stroke Center team is determined to garner the best possible outcome for our patients. Our recertification is a testament to our commitment to providing the most-advanced and effective stroke care in Northwest Indiana.”
The recertification, which is in effect for two years, evaluates how organizations use clinical outcomes and performance measures to identify opportunities to improve care, as well as to educate and prepare patients and their caregivers for discharge.
“Being recertified as a Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center validates the extraordinary care our multidisciplinary stroke team demonstrates every second, minute and hour of every day,” Community Hospital CEO Randy Neiswonger said. “We are proud of the work we do, but more importantly, we are grateful we have the opportunity to improve the lives of our patients.”
Community Hospital’s Comprehensive Stroke Center is supported by the certified Primary Stroke Centers at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. The teams are prepared to act within moments of a patient’s arrival for the most advanced neuro-interventional services. This higher level of care and management also allows Community Hospital to serve as the destination center for complex stroke patients, including those arriving from Northern Indiana’s Primary Stroke Centers.
As a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, Community Hospital has demonstrated the ability to deliver advanced, high-quality care for patients by providing:
- 24/7 access to minimally invasive catheter procedures to treat stroke
- A dedicated neuroscience intensive care unit
- On-site neurosurgical availability 24/7 with the ability to perform complex neuroendovascular procedures
- Treatment for large ischemic, hemorrhagic and other complex strokes
- Access to research through participation in national stroke trials
