UNC Lenoir Health Care has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification.

UNC Lenoir Health Care underwent a rigorous onsite review on August 19, 2019. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management, education of the patient and family, as well as delivery and facilitation of clinical care. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, Chief Operating Officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and Chief Nursing Executive for The Joint Commission. “We commend UNC Lenoir Health Care for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for stroke patients.”

“We congratulate UNC Lenoir Health Care for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer for the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”

“UNC Lenoir is pleased to receive advanced certification from The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association,” said Bob Enders, president and CEO. “This certification is a reflection of the exceptional stroke care we provide as well as emphasizes our efforts to improve the quality of our care for the benefit of our patients”

UNC Lenoir Health Care employs a Stroke Program Coordinator that facilitates all aspects of the stroke program within the hospital and within the community. UNC Lenoir Health Care also has a dedicated partnership with community partners including UNC Neurology at Lenoir, Lenoir County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Wake Forest Baptist Telestroke Network and area pharmacies. “You cannot truly succeed at providing exceptional care for the patient without aligning clinical care with evidence-based guidelines and examinaing the continuum of care for a patient within your community” says Kimberly Best, BSN, RN, Quality and Patient Safety Manager at UNC Lenoir Health Care.

With the goal of providing the highest level of stroke care for our community members, UNC Lenoir Health Care Advanced Primary Stroke Center strives to remain in a continuous state of readiness. Our staff members are continually supporting their clinical care practice and knowledge with current professional education for provision of stroke care. “We work diligently to assure all staff who provide stroke care across the continuum of care practice according to the clinical practice guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. Obtaining certification as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center is a team effort not only within the hospital, but also with respect to community health care providers.Without the tireless efforts of our staff in partnership with Lenoir County EMS, area physicians as well as our partnership with Wake Forest Baptist Telestroke Network, and Lenoir County Community Paramedics, we could not deliver the extraordinary level of care we are providing our patients here in Eastern North Carolina” says Dawn Becker, BSN, RN, Stroke Program Coordinator at UNC Lenoir Health Care.

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.