Crouse Health Earns Dual Certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center

Crouse Health has earned the distinction of being the first and only hospital in the region to receive dual certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, reflecting the highest level of regional expertise for the treatment of serious stroke events. Comprehensive Stroke Centers are typically the largest and best-equipped hospitals in a geographical area for treating any type of stroke or stroke complication.

In May 2018, Crouse received certification from DNV-GL Healthcare, one of the leading accrediting agencies in the U.S., making it one of just four DNV-certified advanced stroke centers in New York State. Additionally, Crouse received its second designation as a Comprehensive Stroke Center from the New York State Department of Health, which designated the hospital as a Primary Stroke Center in 2007. Crouse is currently the only NYS DOH-designated Comprehensive Stroke Center in the region.

Certification by these two organizations is based on quality standards and affirms that the recipient hospital addresses the full spectrum of stroke care — diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education, while establishing clear metrics to evaluate outcomes. Comprehensive Stroke Centers deliver the highest quality of care to the most complex cases, delivering evidence-based treatment with the latest research protocols.

“Both DNV and the New York State Department of Health have affirmed that Crouse meets the most stringent quality and process standards in treating stroke,” says Crouse Health President and CEO Kimberly Boynton. “Our community can be grateful for the expertise and commitment of our physicians, nurses, interventional technicians and the entire clinical team,” adds Boynton.

Crouse is the only hospital in the region equipped with two hybrid operating room suites, allowing the stroke team to provide the most advanced endovascular stroke rescue capabilities.

The Crouse stroke team consistently meets — and exceeds — aggressive door-to-treatment times that surpass the U.S. average. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is an FDA-approved drug that dissolves clots and improves blood flow to the part of the brain being deprived of blood and, therefore, oxygen. If tPA is given within three hours of symptoms, the effects of stroke decrease significantly. Crouse has earned the American Heart/Stroke Association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus recognition for meeting — and exceeding — AHA guidelines for giving tPA within 45 minutes.

“The time-critical nature of stroke events makes it essential to have rigorous and efficient protocols in place to provide life-saving care,” says Tarakad Ramachandran, MD, medical director of Crouse’s stroke program. “Certification from both DNV and the New York State Department of Health validates the experience and dedication of our clinicians and the commitment of Crouse toward the highest quality of stroke care for our region.”