FORT WAYNE, Ind. – March 3, 2025 – Parkview Whitley Hospital and Parkview Kosciusko Hospital each recently received Primary Stroke Certification from The Joint Commission.
Parkview Whitley Hospital was recertified after first receiving initial certification in fall 2022. Parkview Kosciusko Hospital received its initial certification as a Primary Stroke Center after previously being certified as an Acute Stroke Ready facility in 2022 when it operated as an outpatient center (Parkview Warsaw).
Stroke certification recognizes a hospital’s achievement in delivering evidence-based care rooted in the latest science and advancement of stroke care. Facilities undergo an onsite review by Joint Commission reviewers who evaluate compliance with certification standards including stroke program management, delivery and facilitation of clinical care and performance measures. 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.
“We’re proud to once again be certified by The Joint Commission for the quality of stroke care being provided at Parkview Whitley and Parkview Kosciusko hospitals,” said Scott Gabriel, market president, Parkview Health Northwest. “Time is a factor for patients suffering a stroke, so being able to provide high-quality, evidence-based care as close to home as possible for patients is critically important.”
Stroke is the No. 5 leading cause of death in the U.S. and a leading cause of disability, according to the American Stroke Association, and 1 in 4 people who have a stroke are at risk of having another. Stroke risk increases with age and can be impacted by several factors including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and tobacco use, but risks can be reduced by taking preventive measures and managing chronic conditions. An abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation can also increase the risk of stroke and can be challenging to identify. Stroke evaluations often look for atrial fibrillation through cardiac monitoring, which may be paramount to reducing the risk of future stroke.
Parkview has been regularly recognized for its high-quality stroke care, including Parkview Regional Medical Center (PRMC) receiving the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines Gold Plus award in September 2024.
The Parkview Stanley Wissman Stroke Center, headquartered at PRMC but providing services throughout Parkview’s system of hospitals, facilitates interventional procedures and surgical treatments while permeating patient- and family-focused care and community health education throughout the system and community. Parkview’s multidisciplinary diabetes teams help patients craft a treatment plan to build self-management skills, control symptoms and improve quality of life.
“Stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency and receiving quick and highly effective care is critical to reducing the chance of death or serious disability,” said Dr. Fen-Lei Chang, co-medical director of Parkview Health Neurosciences. “But stroke care also extends past the initial incident as our multi-disciplinary teams work to aid recovery and prevent future strokes. Receiving certification from The Joint Commission signals to our patients that they will receive the quality and comprehensive care they need here at Parkview."
For more information, about stroke care services at Parkview, visit parkview.com/medical-services/neurosciences/conditions-treatments/stroke.