Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire achieves Primary Stroke Center recertification

 EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — After undergoing an on-site evaluation and demonstrating compliance with nationally developed standards for stroke care, Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire has been recertified as a Primary Stroke Center, earning The Joint Commission’s Certificate of Distinction.

Certification signifies dedication to fostering better outcomes for patients and demonstrates that the Eau Claire program meets the critical elements of performance necessary to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.

The two-year recertification was received as a result of a Joint Commission on-site review in January. The facility first certified in 2006.

“The specialized experience, teamwork and rigorous standards of a certified Primary Stroke Center greatly helps patients who have suffered a stroke,” says neurologist Felix Chukwudelunzu, M.D.

Each year, about 800,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation’s fifth-leading cause of death. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone dies of a stroke every four minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today.

“A stroke is called a brain attack for good reason,” says Dr. Chukwudelunzu. “A stroke is a medical emergency in which there is a limited amount of time to intervene. If a patient is seen within four and one-half hours from the onset of symptoms, we can provide treatment using tPA, a clot-busting drug that can reduce the effects of stroke and reduce permanent disability.”

The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center certification is based on recommendations published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association’s statements and guidelines for stroke care. The Joint Commission launched the program — the nation’s first — in 2003. A list of Joint Commission-certified programs is available at qualitycheck.org.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public by evaluating organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates more than 18,000 organizations and programs in the United States. An independent nonprofit, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

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Mayo Clinic Health System consists of Mayo-owned clinics, hospitals and other health care facilities that serve the health care needs of people in 60 communities in Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive the highest-quality health care close to home.