UI Hospitals and Clinics Stroke Center earned this distinction after the Joint Commission conducted an on-site review in February. UI Hospitals and Clinics provides numerous advantages to patients affected by stroke, including being able to offer cutting-edge treatments and research protocols that are not widely available in community hospitals. In fact, internationally-recognized stroke experts here developed the scale that is most commonly used to rate the severity of a stroke.

"University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients," said Jean E. Range, MS, RN, CPH.Q, executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.

"We're proud to achieve this distinction," said Donna Katen-Bahensky, director and CEO of UI Hospitals and Clinics. "Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes our commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community."

"This recognition of excellence by the Joint Commission confirms that our patients affected by stroke can expect to receive high quality health care," said Harold Adams, MD, a stroke specialist and professor in the Department of Neurology. "Features such as a dedicated stroke care unit, a high level of expertise among our physicians, nurses and emergency medicine specialists and access to the full spectrum of treatment options truly distinguish our stroke care service."

Each year about 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation's third leading cause of death. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today.

Preparations for the Joint Commission review began in 2005, involving faculty, staff members, and specialists from multiple disciplines dedicated to using evidence-based and proven protocols to care for people affected by stroke.

The Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association's statements/guidelines for stroke care. The Joint Commission launched the program—the nation's first—in 2003.

For more information:

Joint Commission

Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers

UI Stroke Center

Harold Adams, MD