(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 healthcare system with more than 3,500 employees committed to compassionately caring for the community and offering a wide range of high-quality health and wellness services. Patients and their families can rely on comprehensive person-centered care through the system’s 305-bed Stamford Hospital; Stamford Health Medical Group, with more than 30 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 also a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dedicated to being the community’s most trusted healthcare 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.