Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Awarded Advanced Certification For Comprehensive Stroke Centers

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC) today announced that it has earned Advanced Certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers with The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark. The Gold Seal of Approval^® and the Heart-Check mark represent symbols of quality from their respective organizations.

PVHMC underwent a rigorous on-site review where Joint Commission officials evaluated compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements. To be eligible, hospitals must demonstrate compliance with stroke-related standards as a Primary Stroke Center and meet additional requirements, including those related to advanced imaging capabilities, availability of specialized treatments, and providing staff with the unique education and competencies to care for complex stroke patients all 24/7, 365 days a year.

“Every day we strive for excellence in the acute treatment of stroke patients, said Richard E. Yochum, FACHE, President and CEO. “This recognition demonstrates our commitment to the health of our community. We’re incredibly proud of the accomplishments of our Stead Heart & Vascular Center team.”

"By achieving this advanced certification, PVHMC has thoroughly demonstrated the greatest level of commitment to the care of its patients with a complex stroke condition,” says Mark R. Chassin, M.D., FACP, M.P.P., M.P.H., president and CEO, The Joint Commission. “Certification is a voluntary process and The Joint Commission commends PVHMC for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate the standard of its care for the community it serves.”

Philanthropy has made it possible for PVHMC to invest in advanced technology for stroke care, such as the state-of-the-art interventional radiology lab that opened in 2014. Physicians can diagnose and treat stroke patients with minimally-invasive advanced 3D imaging technology, that allows Neuro Interventionalists to quickly move through arteries and diagnose a blockage with precision. Prior to the lab opening in Pomona, area residents only had access to this technology at academic or regional medical centers located more than 30 miles away.

“Every second counts when a stroke strikes,” said Dr. Bhupat Desai, clinical director of PVHMC’s stroke program. “With this designation, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center offers the region’s only true multidisciplinary stroke team.”

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of disability. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, someone dies of a stroke every four minutes, and nearly 800,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Plus, while strokes are often associated with aging adults, there is a rising prevalence among younger people.

Established in 2012, Advanced Certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers is awarded for a two-year period to Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals. The certification was derived from the Brain Attack Coalition’s “Recommendations for Comprehensive Stroke Centers” (Stroke, 2005), “Metrics for Measuring Quality of Care in Comprehensive Stroke Centers” (Stroke, 2011) and recommendations from a multidisciplinary advisory panel of experts in complex stroke care.

“The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association congratulates PVHMC on achieving Comprehensive Stroke Center certification,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. “Meeting the standards for Comprehensive Stroke Center certification represents a commitment to deliver high-quality care to all patients affected by stroke.”