CNBNews

Jefferson Washington Township Hospital has been certified by The Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest distinction of its kind, which recognizes hospitals with the ability to receive and treat the most complex stroke cases.

 

“Achieving Comprehensive Stroke Center accreditation is another example of how our highly experienced teams bring the most sophisticated level of complex care to South Jersey, including world-class cancer care, specialized cardiac treatments, and OBGYN services for women’s health," said Baligh Yehia, MD, MPP, MSc, FACP, President of Jefferson Health. "I’m very proud that the Jefferson Heath Washington Township Hospital team has been recognized by The Joint Commission for the high-quality care they provide to our community."

An independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 22,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the U.S., The Joint Commission conducted a rigorous review of the hospital’s stroke program. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards, including efficiency and timeliness of treatment, continuity of care, and outcomes.

 

“We are honored to have earned Comprehensive Stroke Center accreditation from The Joint Commission,” said Aaron Chang, FACHE, President of Jefferson Health – East Region. “This prestigious designation shows Jefferson’s ongoing commitment to the highest level of complex neurovascular care offered close-to-home for our New Jersey communities.”

The Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including:

• Board Certified endovascular/vascular neurosurgeons are available 24/7 to provide neurosurgical intervention for stroke patients
• An acute stroke team with training and expertise in stroke treatment is available 24/7 to evaluate any patient within minutes of arrival.
• The hospital has a specialized neurological intensive care unit with highly trained physicians and staff.

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone dies from a stroke every three minutes and 33 seconds. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (ruptures). When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it and brain cells die. Jefferson Health treats the largest volume of stroke cases in the Delaware Valley region. Yearly, Jefferson Health discharges over 5,000 stroke patients.

 

“Comprehensive Stroke Center certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Jefferson Health for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality, and more compassionate care.”

 

In 2020, Jefferson Washington Township Hospital – which has a new state-of-the-art patient tower with all private rooms and free parking -– was certified through The Joint Commission as an Advanced Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center, which recognizes it for having the tools and expertise to provide a mechanical thrombectomy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove a blood clot from an artery. Thrombectomy-capable stroke centers also have neurointensive care and 24/7 on-site critical care coverage. In 2023, we continue our commitment to bringing tertiary care to South Jersey by advancing to the highest level of certification for Stroke Centers, which is Comprehensive Stroke Center.