Baptist Health Floyd Designated a Primary Stroke Center

Baptist Health Floyd Designated a Primary Stroke Center

Baptist Health Floyd has been awarded Primary Stroke Certification from the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP). Primary Stroke Certification serves as a notice that Baptist Health Floyd has the capacity to stabilize and treat acute stroke patients, provide acute care and administer tPA and other acute therapies safely and efficiently.

"This certification signifies that Baptist Health Floyd has demonstrated its commitment to providing excellent stroke care to its patients," said Lawrence Haspel, DO Chairman of the Bureau of Healthcare Facilities Accreditation for the HFAP. "Hospitals that have established stroke centers have demonstrated improved treatment, better patient outcomes and reduced costs. Additionally, primary stroke centers have the required infrastructure and protocols in place to stabilize and provide initial time-sensitive treatments, then transfer to partnering hospitals able to provide rapid and evidence-based care to acute stroke patients," added Martin.

The HFAP has been certifying stroke centers since 2006 and currently offers the most options for facilities seeking stroke care certification. The HFAP is the nation's only accreditation program that certifies the full Stroke Continuum Stroke Ready, Primary Stroke and Comprehensive Stroke. The HFAP stroke certification differs from other certification programs in that it provides a three-year certification award with a mid-cycle review at 18 months. In addition, for reimbursement eligibility, hospitals must submit quarterly clinical performance measures to the HFAP office and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

In order to achieve Primary Stroke Certification, Baptist Health Floyd had to meet the following standards: Primary Stroke Certification:

• The program director must have extensive experience in acute stroke
• Stroke code team arrival at bedside must be within 15 minutes
• Lab testing and advanced imaging capabilities must be available 24/7
• Must have access to neurologists 24/7
• Must have neurosurgical expertise available or able to transfer patients within two hours
• Must have a designated stroke unit
• Staff must meet education requirements