McKenzie Health System Awarded HFAP “Stroke Ready” Certification

On Feb. 22, McKenzie Health System was awarded certification by the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), the nation’s original independent, accreditation organization recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). With this designation, McKenzie Health System is the only Critical Access Hospital in Michigan with the “stroke ready” HFAP certification, which confirms high-quality care as determined by an independent, external process of evaluation.

“McKenzie Health System clearly demonstrates a commitment to quality and patient safety,” said Lawrence Haspel, DO, Chairman of the Bureau of Healthcare Facilities Accreditation for HFAP. “We base our decision on the findings of an extensive and thorough on-site review of the system against recognized national standards for patient safety, quality improvement and environmental safety. McKenzie Health System has earned the distinction of HFAP certification through its performance in successfully meeting those standards.”

As designated by HFAP, Stroke Ready centers provide timely access to stroke care and indicate to the community and emergency medical services that hospitals are prepared to meet the initial needs of stroke patients. Further, the organization has indicated a growing need for Stroke Ready centers, particularly in rural America.

McKenzie Health System’s stroke –ready quality measures include activation of the stroke team, the team being on site within 15 minutes of the patient arriving, and laboratory studies & neuroimaging studies being done with results in the hands of the provider within 45 minutes of patient arrival. All of this activity is focused on the team determining if a treatment known as thrombolytic therapy can be delivered. Thrombolytic therapy, which can dissolve dangerous clots in blood vessels, can improve blood flow to the affected area and prevent damage to those tissues and organs. All of this is necessary when treating ischemic stroke patients, which is the condition that results from an obstructed blood vessel blocking blood flow to a portion of the brain. Time is not our friend when treating conditions like this which is why being certified as “stroke-ready” is important because certification affirms that we know how to best manage treatment that could result in a reduction of disabilities often resulting from having a stroke.

“This certification further signifies our commitment to treating strokes and supporting community needs,” said Steve Barnett, President and CEO, McKenzie Health System. “We are honored to be noted for this significant achievement that recognizes our commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community. In particular, I’d like to recognize the incredible commitment and effort of our Laboratory; Radiology; Patient Access Services; Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Departments; as well as Mark Hamed, MD, MBA, MPH, Medical Director of the Emergency Department, Patricia Schafsnitz, RN, Director of Nursing, and our stroke robot team; and the entire staff at McKenzie Health System. Our achievements are never the result of one person; they are reached due to the work of the entire team.”

In 2012, McKenzie Health System formed the Stroke Network with St. John Providence Health System’s Van Elslander Neuroscience Center, using telemedicine to treat more strokes. Using advanced audiovisual technology, evaluation and treatment of stroke patients is expedited by remotely accessing St. John Providence’s medical experts via the 24/7 NeuroOnCall telemedicine service, including the use of an audio- and visual-enabled robot so the stroke neurologist can communicate with the patient via live video feed, while also viewing lab results and diagnostic imaging. To learn more about the stroke network, including a video that demonstrates how the stroke robot works, visit www.mckenziehealth.org/telemedicine.