Stamford Health Awarded Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission

STAMFORD, CT / May 15, 2020 – Stamford Hospital is the first hospital in Connecticut to earn The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center Certification. Thrombectomy is a procedure used to treat large strokes. Todd Miller, MD, the leader of this program at Stamford Health, has over 15 years of experience as an interventional radiologist.

A stroke is usually caused by a clot blocking blood flow through an artery in the brain. Large clots often cause strokes which can lead to permanent disability or even death. Thrombectomy is a procedure in which a catheter or “wire” is threaded up through blood vessels into the brain, and then an interventional radiologist uses the catheter to remove the clot and restore blood flow. Thrombectomy has been proven to save lives, maintain a stroke survivor’s ability to live independently and is the most effective treatment for large strokes.

Stamford Health underwent a rigorous, onsite review on March 10-11. During the visit, a Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards including emergency and critical care management, stroke care management, medication management and interventional radiology. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewer also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“I congratulate our extraordinary stroke team,” said Kathleen Silard, President & CEO, at Stamford Health. “This certification underscores Stamford Health’s commitment to continuously advancing the quality of care available in Lower Fairfield County, and the quality of care available right here.”

“Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Stamford Health for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for stroke patients.”

“We congratulate Stamford Health for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”

“I am excited and proud of our team” said Todd Miller, MD and Chief of Neuro Interventional Services at Stamford Health. “Stamford Health is the first hospital in the state of Connecticut with this Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center accreditation, and one of just 54 hospitals nationwide. This is an acknowledgement of the high-quality work we do – saving lives and returning patients to their families, who may otherwise have not survived their stroke.”

As an acute care hospital and Advanced Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, Stamford Health makes many advanced services available to the community and patients, especially those with emergent needs. Some of those services include a collaborative with local EMS, the capability to perform imaging and thrombectomy procedures 24/7, and a neurointerventionalist with privileges to perform thrombectomies is always available within 30 minutes.

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.

About Stamford Health

Stamford Health is a non-profit independent health care system with more than 3,800 employees committed to caring for the community through a wide range of high-quality health and wellness services. Patients and their families receive expert, compassionate care through the system’s 305-bed Stamford Hospital; Stamford Health Medical Group, with more than 40 offices in lower Fairfield County offering primary and specialty care; a growing number of ambulatory locations across the region; and support through the Stamford Hospital Foundation.

Stamford Health is known for its expert, person-centered care through its many recognitions and partnerships. U.S. News & World Report has recognized Stamford Hospital as a High-Performing Hospital. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rated Stamford Hospital as a five-star hospital for Overall Quality and The Leapfrog Group awarded Stamford Hospital an “A” for patient safety. The American Nurses Credentialing Center has granted Stamford Hospital Magnet Status, which recognizes superior patient care with the highest level of safety, quality, and patient satisfaction. Stamford Health is Planetree Gold-Certified for Excellence in Person-Centered Care and is a Certified™ Great Place to Work.

Stamford Health is a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and has recently expanded its relationship with Columbia to offer treatment and expertise from Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s nationally recognized heart surgeons. Stamford Health and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) have created a premier center for specialty orthopedic care right in Stamford, Connecticut. Additionally, in 2020 Stamford Health’s Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center entered into an expanded collaboration with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center.

Dedicated to being the community’s most trusted health care partner, Stamford Health puts patients first to build long-lasting relationships. For more information, visit StamfordHealth.org. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.