UPMC Mercy is starting 2018 as a Joint Commission-accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center. The hospital was the 130th facility out of approximately 6,000 in the nation to achieve the highest level of certification offered by The Joint Commission, which acknowledges UPMC Mercy’s ability to treat the most complex stroke cases.
Previously, UPMC Mercy was a Joint Commission-accredited Primary Stroke Center, which recognized the hospital’s stroke program and its efforts to improve stroke treatment and outcomes. In 2015, UPMC Mercy made the choice to pursue the advanced certification.
“To make this new Comprehensive Stroke Center designation a reality, we committed the resources necessary to enhance our overall stroke care competencies, and the team dedicated two years to the rigorous process that was required to achieve the certification,” said Michael Grace, president of UPMC Mercy.
Advancing from a Primary to a Comprehensive Stroke Center required UPMC Mercy to expand its round-the-clock medical services, develop dedicated neurovascular intensive care unit beds, conduct additional training for staff, collect medical data and increase existing stroke resources. The hospital also improved its processes to care for a larger number of stroke patients.
“Becoming a Comprehensive Stroke Center required support from all areas of our hospital, from the emergency department to rehabilitation services and everything in between,” said Dr. Ashutosh Jadhav, UPMC Mercy Stroke Service medical director. “This certification was a true group effort that has resulted in higher quality care for the patients we treat.”
As the home of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, which includes a dedicated stroke rehabilitation unit, UPMC Mercy is now in a unique position to provide care for patients throughout their entire stroke treatment and recovery process. Patients have access to advanced diagnostic capabilities and state-of-the-art neurovascular technology.
Visit the UPMC Mercy website for additional information about the hospital’s stroke services. To make an appointment, call 412-232-8840, and to learn about monthly support groups, call 412-232-8738.
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