Mercy Health – Lourdes Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Primary Stroke Certification.

In order to receive certification, Mercy Health – Lourdes Hospital underwent a rigorous onsite review. During the visit, Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management and delivering and facilitating clinical care. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

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

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

“The road to stroke certification isn’t short, and we’ve been preparing and working the last few years towards this goal,” said Michael Yungmann, president of Mercy Health – Lourdes Hospital. “I’d like to thank the physicians and staff who helped earn this distinction, with special thanks to our stroke coordinator Lesley Evans, BSN, RN, for her leadership. To be named an Advanced Primary Stroke Center demonstrates to patients that Lourdes Hospital is committed to maintaining high standards and that our program is providing the next generation of stroke care to the region.”