Certified Stroke Center Designation

Course overview

In 2003, The Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Hospital Organizations launched a certification program for primary stroke centers (PSCs) using the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association recommendations. The new stroke certification program prompted hospitals across the nation to develop protocols, guidelines, and plans of care to treat stroke as a medical emergency. The coalition has also published recommendations for advanced certification of comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs), which offer neurointerventional services. While a PSC can handle most acute stroke patients, a CSC can handle all stroke patients, including the most complicated cases. The goal of this course is to familiarize learners with certification standards and compliance requirements of certified stroke centers.