The Joint Commission Taps Georgetown University Hospital as “Stroke Center”

Every 45 seconds someone in America suffers a stroke and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stroke is the nation’s third leading cause of death. For those who will suffer a stroke within the Washington, DC region, they are now guaranteed to have best possible care available when cared for at Georgetown University Hospital.

The Joint Commission (TJC) has officially named Georgetown University Hospital as a primary stroke center, setting the hospital’s treatment of stroke victims among the best in the nation.

“The Stroke Center certification demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest level of stroke care for our community,” said Chelsea Kidwell, MD, director, Stroke Disorders. “Our performance measures demonstrate to our community our ability to follow national standards demonstrated to reduce disability and improve outcomes in stroke patients.”

To become a Joint Commission certified primary care center a hospital is measured in a number of areas and must show a high level of compliance in each. Georgetown University Hospital achieved 100% compliance in all core performance measures assessed and was officially named a Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center in mid-December of 2007.

Georgetown University Hospital offers a team of specialists who are on-call around the clock to provide immediate care for stroke victims, a situation where every second counts.

“We have a full acute team on stand-by 24 hours a day,” said Dr. Kidwell. “Our emergency staff is well trained to handle incoming stroke patients. Georgetown also has on-hand specialists in triage, neurology and radiological imaging on-call at all times.“

“We are very proud to have received this distinction and to know that we are a nationally recognized center of excellence for acute stroke care,” said Dr. Kidwell.

It is estimated that this year 700,000 Americans will have a stroke and 168,000 of those will die as a result.

Media Contact: Marianne Worley
Phone: 703-558-1287
Email: WorleyM@gunet.georgetown.edu

Patient Contact: 202-342-2400