Albany Medical Center Receives Comprehensive Stroke Center Designation
Albany Medical Center has received certification from DNV as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, reflecting the highest level of competence for treatment of serious stroke events.
“Comprehensive Stroke Center designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team of health care professionals and staff in delivering the most advanced, high-quality, compassionate care to stroke patients across the region,” said Dan Pauze, MD, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at Albany Medical Center. “Comprehensive stroke care requires the best clinicians and resources and the ability to act organizationally with extreme efficiency because of the time-critical nature of these events, and this designation reflects our commitment.”
The DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification is based on standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association, and affirms that Albany Medical Center addresses the full spectrum of stroke care, including diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education—and establishes clear metrics to evaluate outcomes.
“Achieving certification shows commitment to excellence,” said Kelly Proctor, president of DNV Healthcare USA Inc. “And it helps demonstrate to your community that you are performing at the highest level.”
According to DNV, comprehensive stroke centers are typically the largest and best-equipped hospitals in a given geographical area that can treat any kind of stroke or stroke complication. In a growing number of states, stroke center certification determines to which facility a patient should be taken for the most appropriate, reimbursable care.
As a comprehensive stroke center, Albany Medical Center’s stroke team consists of neurologists, neuro-radiologists, neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons, nurse practitioners, rehabilitation specialists, and nurses, advanced practice providers and residents with specialized training in diagnosis and treatment of stroke, making the hospital a resource for its partner hospitals in the Albany Med Health System: Saratoga Hospital, Glens Falls Hospital, and Columbia Memorial Health, as well as other hospitals in a 25-county area that transfer patients to Albany Med for treatment.