The George Washington University Hospital Recertified as Comprehensive Stroke Center
WASHINGTON, DC—The George Washington University Hospital (GW Hospital) has received two-year recertification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center from The Joint Commission and American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. GW Hospital is one of less than three percent–about 156 hospitals nationwide–to hold this distinction.
“As an academic medical center, GW Hospital is committed to paving the way in providing the highest quality care for our community,” says Kimberly Russo, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at GW Hospital. “We are proud to receive this recertification which reflects our ongoing expertise in caring for individuals with complex, life-threatening strokes.”
GW Hospital received initial designation as a Comprehensive Stroke Center in 2015, making it only the 97th hospital (less than two percent) in the country to achieve this recognition. Certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center means that the organization has met The Joint Commission’s standards for Disease-Specific Care Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification, making it part of an elite group of providers focused on complex stroke care. Complex Stroke Centers are recognized as industry leaders and are responsible for setting the national agenda in highly-specialized stroke care. These hospitals have advanced infrastructure, staff and training to receive and treat patients with the most complex strokes.
“This designation demonstrates GW’s ability to treat the most complex strokes in the most efficient manner using advanced technology and multidisciplinary expertise,” says Henry Kaminski, MD, Chairman of the Department of Neurology at GW Hospital, The GW Medical Faculty Associates and GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “During a stroke, minutes matter and symptoms should not be ignored. We urge those who suspect a stroke to act as quickly as our team does so that they may benefit from our comprehensive service.”
In order to achieve recertification, GW Hospital underwent a rigorous onsite review to ensure its continued compliance with the Comprehensive Stroke Center standards and requirements. These include having advanced imaging capabilities, 24/7 availability of specialized treatments, and staff with the unique education and competencies to care for complex stroke patients.
GW Hospital’s Stroke Center is part of its Neurosciences Institute, which offers comprehensive care for a variety of neurological conditions. In addition to stroke, GW Hospital is recognized as a "Level 4 Epilepsy Center," the highest distinction possible, by The National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC). Last year, GW Hospital also became the first hospital in the mid-Atlantic region to offer Precision Virtual Reality™ (VR) technology for neurosurgery.