Medical Center in Saginaw Achieves Re-Accreditation as Comprehensive Stroke Center
MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw has achieved re-accreditation through The Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest and most demanding level of accreditation a stroke center can achieve. The two-year designation confirms MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw has the resources, staff and training to provide the very best in state-of-the-art stroke care.
“MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw has a highly collaborative and committed stroke team who have made our continuous Comprehensive Stroke Certification a reality,” said Joseph Adel, M.D., F.A.A.N.S., cerebrovascular, endovascular and skull base neurosurgeon. “We achieved initial certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center in 2020 and successfully achieved re-accreditation following bi-annual surveys in 2022 and 2024. Our team is extremely proud as this accomplishment is only achieved by health care organizations who are committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care. Our physicians, nurses and clinicians are ready and able 24/7 to provide patients with the best possible stroke care for the most complicated and serious strokes when seconds count.”
Surveyors from The Joint Commission were onsite for multiple days, evaluating more than 130 elements of performance including quality measurements and guidelines. MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw was the first hospital north of Flint to receive Comprehensive Stroke Center status in 2020 and is one of 16 in Michigan. There are less than 300 Comprehensive Stroke Centers nationwide.
“MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw has a legacy of being a center of excellence for stroke and neuroscience care,” said Mike Erickson, president, MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw, Standish, Tawas and Towne Centre. “Under the leadership of Dr. Adel, we are proud to continue to raise the bar for stroke care excellence. This designation reflects our organization’s dedication and commitment to providing clinical care that meets or surpasses national standards of excellence.”
To earn this certification, hospitals must demonstrate compliance with stroke-related standards expected of primary stroke centers, and meet additional requirements, including volume of complex stroke and cerebrovascular patients, quality of care and outcome, advanced imaging capabilities, 24/7 availability of specialized treatments, and providing staff with the unique education and experience to care for complex stroke patients.
According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the number two cause of death worldwide and is a leading cause of disability. Because stroke, or “brain attacks,” affect blood flow to the brain, rapid and effective treatment can save lives and offer the best chance of limiting the extent of long-term damage.
When it comes to stroke, time matters. MyMichigan Health encourages the community to know the signs of stroke through the simple acronym B.E.F.A.S.T. The letters of the acronym stand for: Balance loss, Eyesight changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time matters. If these signs develop, call 911 right away for emergency medical care.
Those interested in more information about stroke may take a free at stroke assessment at www.mymichigan.org/strokerisk. Additional information on MyMichigan Health neurosciences may be found at www.mymichigan.org/neuroscience.
