Springfield Memorial Hospital has been awarded the nation’s highest designation for stroke care for a sixth time.
The Comprehensive Stroke Center designation, which SMH first earned in 2015, is the highest designation for stroke care given by The Joint Commission, the nonprofit organization that accredits healthcare organizations in the United States. This designation is awarded to hospitals that demonstrate the ability to provide expert, round-the-clock care for the most complex cases of stroke.
SMH is one of only 17 hospitals in Illinois that have this designation, most of which are located in the Chicago area.
“A Comprehensive Stroke Center is required to have highly qualified physicians in key specialties available 24/7, as well as specialized hospital staff and the latest technology,” said Dr. Sajjad Mueed, a stroke neurologist with SIU Medicine and Medical Director of SMH’s Comprehensive Stroke Center. “SMH’s stroke team is highly trained and ready to deliver lifesaving treatment when seconds count.”
The stroke team at Memorial includes board-certified physicians and surgeons from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield Clinic Neuro-Interventionalists, and Mid-America Emergency Physicians, in addition to professionals from a wide range of other disciplines.
Comprehensive Stroke Centers like SMH also have a dedicated neurointensive-care unit with 24/7 neurointensive care for complex stroke patients, as well as access to advanced imaging technology for diagnosis and treatment.
All five Memorial Health hospitals in central Illinois hold designations for stroke care. The Joint Commission designates Decatur Memorial Hospital as a primary stroke center, while Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, Lincoln Memorial Hospital and Taylorville Memorial Hospital are all designated as Acute Stroke-Ready hospitals by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“Memorial continues to invest in the training, technology and expertise we need to deliver high-quality stroke care across our region,” said Jennifer Rebbe, director of neurosciences. “Our goal is to make sure everyone in our communities has access to that care whenever they need it. I’m proud of the work our teams do to make that happen.”