Providence St. Patrick Hospital achieves 8th Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification

Providence St. Patrick Hospital has achieved its 8th Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification. The designation is awarded to hospitals that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes by meeting the specialized needs of stroke patients.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of serious disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. Access to specialized stroke care is critical to reduce the overall physical and psychological burdens of stroke. Primary Stroke Center Certification is given to hospitals that provide emergency stroke care, evaluation for acute stroke treatments, processes to reduce the risk of additional strokes and recovery.

As a Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center that performs mechanical thrombectomy (a minimally invasive procedure in which an interventional radiologist uses specialized equipment to remove a clot from a patient’s artery), the hospital had a 2-day review to fully assess the care and treatment provided to these patients. The Joint Commission commended the hospital for its continued excellence in stroke care and commitment for providing mechanical thrombectomy to the community since 2011.

Dr. Christi Richard, Interim Stroke Center Medical Director, says, “The hospitalist group at St. Pat's is proud of the role we play in ensuring that patients admitted with stroke receive the best possible care and follow up. The Primary Stroke Center Certification is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all members of the SPH stroke care team.”

Dr. Mark Elliott, an interventional radiologist, says, "The radiologists of Inland Imaging, including the interventional radiologists at Providence St. Patrick Hospital, are proud to serve the stroke patients in western Montana and the surrounding region. Clot retrieval for large vessel occlusive stroke is one of the greatest developments in medical care in the 21st century and has dramatically improved the treatment of stroke. As part of the multi-disciplinary acute stroke care team, we have been providing this life changing invasive procedure for over a decade at St. Pat's and look forward to continuing to provide this cutting-edge therapy. The Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes St. Pat's commitment and expertise in stroke treatment."