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Saint Luke's Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute awarded advanced certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers

October 8, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 8, 2014) — Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute has achieved Comprehensive Stroke Center certification by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Saint Luke’s is third in the state of Missouri to receive the Comprehensive Stroke Center certification and 77th in the nation.

Comprehensive Stroke Center certification recognizes stroke centers that have state-of-the-art infrastructure, staff, and training to receive and treat patients with the most complex stroke cases. Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute underwent a rigorous on-site review by The Joint Commission in August 2014.

“Achieving Comprehensive Stroke Center certification validates our mission to provide the highest level of stroke treatment available, and to deliver the very best possible care to patients in the Kansas City region,” said Julie Quirin, CEO of Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City.

According to The Joint Commission, Saint Luke’s Hospital exceeded national standards in several key areas:

Saint Luke’s stroke patients are five times more likely to be treated with the clot-busting drug, tPA, coupled with neurointervention to open blocked brain arteries, than the national average.
Saint Luke’s success rate for completely reversing strokes using neurointervention is 90 percent, as compared to the national average of 39 percent.
Saint Luke’s treats stroke patients faster, sooner than 45 minutes after they arrive, as compared to the national average of 66.3 minutes. Speed is essential during a stroke, because 1.8 million brain cells are lost every minute.
In 2013 Saint Luke’s treated 1,200 strokes, more than double the number of strokes treated by any other hospital in the region.

The comprehensive certification expands on the criteria for Advanced Primary Stroke Centers, which Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute initially received in 2004, recognizing the significant differences in resources, staff, and training that are necessary for the treatment of complex stroke cases, such as brain aneurysms. Saint Luke’s Comprehensive Stroke Program offers treatment, prevention, research, and rehabilitation for stroke patients.

Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute is a global leader in utilizing both drug and mechanical interventions to block and reverse the permanent and debilitating effects of acute strokes. Its legacy of innovation began in its 1993 inaugural year when doctors performed one of the world’s first intra-arterial stroke reversal procedures. Since then, Saint Luke’s specialists have continued to pioneer new stroke therapies and reverse stroke’s life-altering effects for thousands of patients, and is one of the world’s most experienced and prolific leaders in the use of tPA for treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The hospital offers leading-edge treatments for aneurysms, carotid stenosis and strokes caused by brain bleeds.

“This advanced certification highlights the specialized care we provide to patients with the most severe and challenging types of stroke and cerebrovascular disease. Saint Luke’s personalizes care for each patient by drawing on a multidisciplinary team of experts as well as the latest technology and research to provide the best treatment and result in proven excellent outcomes,” said Karin Olds, M,D., medical director of the Comprehensive Stroke Program at Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute.

“By achieving this advanced certification, Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute has thoroughly demonstrated the greatest level of commitment to the care of its patients with complex stroke conditions,” said Mark R. Chassin, M.D., FACP, M.P.P., M.P.H., president, The Joint Commission. “Certification is a voluntary process and The Joint Commission commends Saint Luke’s for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate the standard of its care for the community it serves.”

Comprehensive Stroke Centers excel in:

Providing dedicated neuro-intensive care unit beds for complex stroke patients that provide neuro-critical care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Using advanced imaging capabilities.
Having neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuro-interventionalists available 24/7.
Annually providing care to 20 or more patients with a diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage, performing 15 or more endovascular coiling or surgical clipping procedures for aneurysm; and administering IV tPA to an average of 25 or more eligible patients.
Using a peer review process to evaluate and monitor the care provided to patients with ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Participating in stroke research.

For more information, visit saintlukeshealthsystem.org. For more information on The Joint Commission and American Heart Association’s Advanced Certification for Comprehensive Stroke Center visit jointcommission.org or heart.org/myhospital.org.

Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute (SLMBNI), a member of Saint Luke’s Health System, is a global leader in utilizing both drug and mechanical interventions to block and reverse the permanent and debilitating effects of ischemic strokes. Its legacy of innovation began in 1993 when doctors performed one of the world’s first intra-arterial stroke reversal procedures. Since then, Saint Luke’s specialists have continued to pioneer new stroke treatments and reverse stroke’s debilitating effects for thousands of patients, and is one of the world’s most experienced and prolific leaders in the use of Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) clot-busting medication for treatment of ischemic stroke. SLMBNI, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., brings together a team of the country’s most accomplished neuroscience experts to provide a comprehensive treatment center for the most complex neurological issues, such as stroke, epilepsy, brain tumors, facial pain, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, headaches, aneurysms, and the latest in minimally invasive spinal surgical techniques. SLMBNI’s advancements in neurology have made it a national leader in neurological treatment and care.

Saint Luke’s Health System consists of 10 area hospitals and several primary and specialty care practices, and provides a range of inpatient, outpatient, and home care services. Founded as a faith-based, not-for-profit organization, our mission includes a commitment to the highest levels of excellence in health care and the advancement of medical research and education. The health system is an aligned organization in which the physicians and hospitals assume responsibility for enhancing the physical, mental, and spiritual health of people in the Kansas City metropolitan area and the surrounding region.

Learn more about stroke care at Saint Luke's Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute.

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