Mission Hospital earns comprehensive stroke center certification

Mission Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers. The Gold Seal of Approval® and the Heart-Check mark represent symbols of quality from their respective organizations. 

With this certification, Mission joins an elite group of less than 130 health systems nationally that have received this certification for their highly specialized stroke care. To be eligible, hospitals must demonstrate compliance with stroke-related standards as a Primary Stroke Center and meet additional requirements, including those related to advanced imaging capabilities, 24/7 availability of specialized treatments, and providing staff with the unique education and competencies to care for complex stroke patients. 

“Achieving Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center designation is a national affirmation of the excellent comprehensive stroke care we’ve been delivering for years.  It’s also a testament to the commitment and hard work taking place every day by our superb stroke care team in close collaboration with other services within the Mission Health family.  The Comprehensive Stroke Center designation puts our program in an elite status along with some of the largest academic centers in the United States, yet that service is available here locally to serve the people of western North Carolina,” said Alexander T. Schneider, MD, Medical Director, Mission Neurology and the Stroke Program.

Mission Hospital underwent a rigorous on-site review on July 11 and 12 when The Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements.

"By achieving this advanced certification, Mission Hospital has thoroughly demonstrated the greatest level of commitment to the care of its patients with a complex stroke condition,” says Mark R. Chassin, MD, FACP, MPP, MPH, president and CEO, The Joint Commission. “Certification is a voluntary process and The Joint Commission commends Mission Hospital for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate the standard of its care for the community it serves.”

Stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

“The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association congratulates Mission Hospital on achieving Comprehensive Stroke Center certification,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. “Meeting the standards for Comprehensive Stroke Center certification represents a commitment to deliver high quality care to all patients affected by stroke.”