RWJ Hamilton's Stroke Care Program Awarded Certification from the Joint Commission

HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton has earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers. RWJ Hamilton earned this distinction after the Joint Commission conducted an on-site review in September.

"Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients," says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.

Each year about 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation's third leading cause of death. On average, someone suffers a stroke ever 45 second and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today.

"We're very proud to achieve the distinction," says RWJ Hamilton President and CEO Ellen Guarnieri. "Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes RWJ Hamilton's commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community."

The Joint Commission's Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association's statements/guidelines for stroke care. The Joint Commission launched the program—the nation's first—in 2003. A list of programs certified by the Joint Commission is available at www.jointcommission.org.

RWJ Hamilton's stroke program, under the medical direction of Rao S. Pasupuleti, MD, board certified neurologist and clinical neuro-physiologist is a two-time recipient of the Stroke Care Excellence Award given by HealthGrades, a national healthcare ratings organization, and the only hospital in Mercer County to receive this prestigious award in 2007.

More About RWJ Hamilton
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) is the only New Jersey hospital to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Located in Hamilton Township, NJ, the hospital is part of the RWJ Health System and Network and is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey-RWJ Medical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

The RWJ Hamilton Health Care Corporation serves communities within a five-county area and includes an acute care hospital, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton, three affiliated medical groups, seven Lakeview Child Centers, and the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, home of a medically-based fitness center and the hospital's extensive community education program. Over 1,900 hospital employees and 650 medical staff physicians share RWJ Hamilton's passion for Excellence Through Service. For more information, visit www.rwjhamilton.org.