Barrow Awarded Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification

Barrow Neurological Institute has earned The Joint Commission’s Comprehensive Stroke Center certification. It is the highest level of certification a hospital can receive for the care of complex stroke patients.

Offered in collaboration with the American Stroke Association, this designation recognizes the dedication of Barrow and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center to providing the highest quality of stroke care across the care continuum—from the pre-hospital setting through neuro-rehabilitation.

With this certification, Barrow joins an elite group of hospitals focused on continuous quality improvement and evidence-based stroke care strategies. Comprehensive Stroke Centers also serve as industry leaders and set the national agenda in highly specialized stroke care. 

The certification process involved a rigorous virtual review in April. During which, The Joint Commission spent three days evaluating the Institute’s compliance with specific standards. These included the availability of advanced imaging capabilities and specialized treatment options, 24/7 access to acute stroke treatment and care, and the employment of a highly trained and an experienced stroke team.

The Joint Commission develops its standards based on scientific literature and expert consensus. These standards help health care organizations measure, assess, and improve performance.

The Barrow Difference

The success of the Petznick Stroke Center at Barrow stems from our highly coordinated stroke team. The Center is home to vascular neurologists, endovascular and cerebrovascular neurosurgeons, neuro-rehabilitation physicians and therapists, neuro-critical care experts, and certified nurses. Our specialists share a collaborative spirit and a common goal of improving patient outcomes.

During the closing session, reviewers from The Joint Commission highlighted many best-practice strategies that Barrow has implemented for stroke care. They recognized our Barrow Emergency Stroke Treatment Unit, evidence-based and data-driven quality improvement program, research initiatives, education programs, nursing practice, and use of telemedicine technology.

Additionally, a reviewer acknowledged how Barrow staff not only care for stroke patients but also care for each other. The evaluation noted the Institute’s addition of Resilience Rooms to help staff decompress.