LVH–Cedar Crest Recertified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center

Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest is recertified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center and earned a Gold Seal of Approval® from The Joint Commission. This designation means LVH–Cedar Crest meets The Joint Commission’s high standards for treating the most complex stroke cases.

“We go above and beyond to deliver lifesaving care. Our team of nurses, physicians and support staff use a combination of experience, knowledge and leading-edge technology to save lives,” says Steven Lewis, MD, Chief, Division of Neurology and Physician-in-Chief, Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute. “Being recertified as a comprehensive stroke center shows our patients and community that comprehensive quality and compassionate care is the top priority for LVH–Cedar Crest.”

A team of Joint Commission reviewers visited LVH–Cedar Crest for a rigorous review during summer 2022. During the visit, reviewers toured the stroke unit, interviewed colleagues, observed patient care and evaluated compliance with certification standards.

“We congratulate LVH–Cedar Crest for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects a commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”

In 2012, Lehigh Valley Hospital became the first Comprehensive Stroke Center in Pennsylvania and among the first in the country. Recertification occurs biennially.

“Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Deborah Ryan, MS, RN, interim executive vice president, Accreditation and Certification Operations, The Joint Commission. “We commend LVH–Cedar Crest for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical processes and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for stroke patients.”

LVH–Cedar Crest has designated stroke facilities that provide around-the-clock care. These facilities include a neuroscience intensive care unit and a rehabilitation unit, giving patients access to excellent care from the beginning stages of a stroke to recovery, all in one location. The facilities are staffed by a team of doctors, nurses and health care specialists who receive extra training to treat the most severe stroke cases.

Along with offering state-of-the-art facilities to treat strokes, LVH–Cedar Crest stands among a small group of medical centers nationally to offer endovascular stroke therapies.  During this procedure a catheter is advanced directly into an arterial brain clot under live X-ray guidance, and using endovascular devices, is used to extract the clot and re-establish blood flow. This minimally invasive procedure allows specialists to quickly treat large vessel stroke and prevent further injury to the patient’s brain.

“We offer high quality, leading-edge care 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” says neurologist Yevgeniy Isayev, MD, with LVPG Neurology–Muhlenberg and LVH–Neurology–1250 Cedar Crest. “A stroke can happen any time to anyone, so our patients and their families can be assured they will receive the best possible stroke care at our LVH–Cedar Crest, no matter what.”

Jointly operated by Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) and Cetronia Ambulance Corps, the mobile stroke unit provides specialized equipment and a specially trained team that delivers fast, lifesaving care in the critical moments following a stroke.

“This neurological emergency room on wheels is a game-changer when it comes to treating strokes,” Isayev says. “We can assess a patient and deliver fast, lifesaving treatments in the moments after a stroke. Every moment that passes means more damage to the brain, so time is of the essence when it comes to stroke care.”

The equipment on board the mobile stroke unit includes computed tomography (CT) imaging equipment and video telehealth technology. This equipment provides LVHN specialists invaluable information about the type of stroke a patient is experiencing, and which treatments will be most effective for each patient.