Flint, MI – The Joint Commission, in conjunction with The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, recently recognized Hurley Medical Center with Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. Achievement of Primary Stroke Center Certification signifies an organization’s dedication to fostering better outcomes for patients. Hurley Medical Center’s Primary Stroke Center Certification has demonstrated that their program meets critical elements of performance to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.

Hurley Medical Center underwent a rigorous on-site review in July, 2012. A Joint Commission expert reviewed Hurley Medical Center’s compliance with the requirements for The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification program as well as primary stroke center requirements, such as collecting Joint Commission core measure data and using it for performance improvement activities.

“Hurley Medical Center is thoroughly committed to providing our patients the highest quality stroke care centered on current scientific research to ensure continued improvement in treatment,” said Melany Gavulic, RN, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hurley Medical Center. 

“In addition to our The Joint Commission hospital accreditation, the Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification has given us the opportunity to highlight the exceptional stroke care we provide for our patients, and help us improve care overall for our community,” adds Beckie Hoppe, RN, MSN, Stroke Program Manager at Hurley Medical Center.

"In achieving Joint Commission advanced certification, Hurley Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its stroke patients,” says Jean Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q. executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission. “Certification is a voluntary process and The Joint Commission commends Hurley Medical Center for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

Developed in collaboration with the American Stroke Association and launched in 2003, The Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center Certification program is based on the Brain Attack Coalition's "Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers." Certification is available only to stroke programs in Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals.

Hurley Medical Center will be able to display The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ and the American Heart Association Heart-Check mark for their Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. Displaying the seal and Heart-Check mark signifies that Hurley Medical Center is providing the “next generation of stroke care,” and will help patients easily identify this facility as one of quality that has surpassed numerous goals in the treatment of stroke. For more information on The Joint Commission and American Heart Association’s Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Center visit www.jointcommission.org or www.heart.org/myhospital.

About The Joint Commission:
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,300 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,500 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission currently certifies more than 2,000 disease-specific care programs, focused on the care of patients with chronic illnesses such as stroke, joint replacement, stroke rehabilitation, heart failure and many others. The Joint Commission also provides health care staffing services certification for more than 750 staffing offices. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

MEDIA: For interviews with Ms. Gavulic and Beckie Hoppe, RN, MSN regarding the Primary Stroke Center Certification, contact Ilene Cantor, Administrator, Marketing, Community & Public Relations at 810.262.7164 or icantor1@hurleymc.com.

Hurley Medical Center is a 443-bed premier public teaching hospital located in the heart of Genesee County, Michigan.  As the region’s only Level I Trauma Center, Burn Center, and the highest level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit available in Genesee County, Hurley is a recognized leader in clinical care and education, maintaining affiliations with Michigan State University, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan-Flint, Mott Community College and Henry Ford Health System. Founded in 1908, Hurley provides patient care for more than 100,000 people annually.