CINCINNATI, OH (November 13, 2024) —UC Medical Center (UCMC) has once again received advanced certification by The Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. This certification means that UCMC has met and seeks to maintain The Joint Commission’s high standards in providing stroke care to patients in the region and beyond.
More than a decade ago, UCMC was the first hospital in the region to achieve this certification. Today, it remains part of an elite group of healthcare providers nationwide with specialized capabilities in stroke care.
“Our team’s dedication to stroke care extends far beyond the walls of UC Medical Center. For over three decades, we’ve pioneered treatments, expanded our reach through innovative programs like telestroke, and led groundbreaking research,” said Stacie Demel, DO, Associate Professor of Neurology at UC College of Medicine and Director, UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute Stroke Center and Division Director, Vascular Neurology.
Among the Center’s key programs and accomplishments:
- UC Stroke Team: Founded in the mid-1980s as the first multidisciplinary stroke team in the U.S., the UC Stroke Team provides stroke evaluation and acute stroke therapy 24/7 at 15 regional hospitals and offers consultation services to over 20 additional hospitals in the region.
- Telestroke Initiative: In 2012, the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and UCMC launched an initiative to extend the expertise of the UC Stroke Team to partner hospitals through telestroke, utilizing telemedicine to provide stroke care and expertise remotely.
- tPA Development: UC researchers were instrumental in developing and testing tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a groundbreaking clot-busting drug used to treat acute ischemic stroke. tPA remains the only FDA-approved medical treatment for strokes caused by blood clots.
- National Stroke Research Leadership: The University of Cincinnati and UC Health serve as the National Coordinating Center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) StrokeNet, which is the primary infrastructure for multicenter trials of stroke funded by NIH and the pipeline for new potential treatments for adults and children with stroke and those at risk for stroke.
- Neurorecovery & Neuroimaging Studies: UC researchers lead advanced studies in stroke recovery, neuroimaging, and preclinical models of stroke, participate in major prevention studies, and conduct groundbreaking research in cerebrovascular disease.
- Mobile Stroke Unit: UC Health has the first and only mobile stroke unit region.
“Our research efforts, from pioneering the use of tPA to leading national studies through NIH StrokeNet, allow us to continuously advance treatment methods and improve stroke recovery and outcomes. Every discovery brings us closer to more effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation for stroke patients everywhere," said Eva Mistry, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology at UC College of Medicine and Director, UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute Stroke Center and Division Director, Vascular Neurology.
UCMC underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review as part of the recertification process. During the review, Joint Commission experts evaluated the hospital’s compliance with certification standards, including program management, patient self-management support, and the delivery of advanced clinical care. The evaluation also involved in-depth observations and interviews with staff to ensure that UCMC meets the highest standards of stroke care.
The Joint Commission’s certification reflects UCMC's longstanding excellence in stroke care and recognizes its adherence to stringent standards in patient safety and clinical quality.
For more information about the stroke center, please visit www.uchealth.com/en/neuroscience-institute/comprehensive-stroke-center
Additional UC Health Leader Quotes:
“Continued certification isn’t something we’ve achieved alone. It stands as a testament to the dedication and commitment of every member across the UC Health enterprise, working tirelessly to deliver the highest quality care to our community. This shared commitment is how we reach national prominence here at UC Health,” said Charles J. Prestigiacomo, MD, Professor of Neurological Surgery at UC College of Medicine and Director, Endovascular and Neurovascular Surgery.
“Delivering exceptional stroke care to our community is a team effort across UC Health. Our dedicated stroke nurses actively promote awareness of stroke symptoms, while our Mobile Stroke Unit coordinates with local EMS to bring care right to the patient’s door. UC Health Air Care ensures rapid transport of stroke patients directly to our specialists at UC Medical Center, and our Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapists provide essential support throughout each patient’s recovery journey. At UC Health, our commitment to excellence and teamwork drives us to offer comprehensive, life-saving stroke care across every step of the continuum,” said Aaron Grossman, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, UC College of Medicine, and Co-Director, UC Medical Center Comprehensive Stroke Center.