Quinte Health’s Stroke program has received some prestigious national recognition.
Accreditation Canada has given the program a Distinction in Stroke Services, Acute and Inpatient Stroke Rehab.
Quinte Health embarked on the rigorous journey of applying to Accreditation Canada’s Stroke Distinction Program in late 2022.
The distinction acknowledges healthcare organizations that strive for clinical excellence and adhere to evidence-informed practices in stroke care, integrating best practice recommendations developed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Stacey Daub, President and CEO of Quinte Health, says, “Our stroke program is a glowing example of high quality, compassionate care close to home.”
She called achieving the National Distinction a testament to the incredible stroke leadership that clinicians and staff execute each and every day at Quinte Health.
Quinte Health’s Stroke Program started in 2005 and has continuously expanded its scope.
Notable milestones include the first delivery of the clot-busting drug, tPA, for acute stroke in 2010, the first assessment and rapid transport for endovascular therapy in Kingston in 2017, and the establishment of the Integrated Stroke and Rehabilitation Unit in 2018-2019 at Belleville General Hospital, where patients receive comprehensive acute care and rehabilitation services on a single unit.
Dedication to improving “door-to-needle times” for patients eligible for Alteplase tPA treatment has resulted in improved patient outcomes.
In May 2023, BGH underwent its first acute and rehab survey, meeting the requirements in five key areas: standards, clinical protocols, quality indicators, innovation projects, and patient and family education in acute and rehab stroke care.
The Stroke Distinction surveyors commended the hospital’s achievements in various critical aspects, including outstanding teamwork and collaboration across the continuum of care, commitment to stroke services demonstrated by clinical and physician leadership, robust community partnerships, and leadership in planning and implementing integrated stroke services in the district.
Isobel Manzer, District Stroke Coordinator at Quinte Health, enthusiastically stated, “We received outstanding ratings in the overall standards, with 96% of all criteria and 100% of all high-priority criteria being met. This outcome is particularly remarkable for Quinte Health, as this was our first time undergoing the Stroke Distinction process.”
Dr. Andrew Samis, Stroke Physician Champion at Quinte Health, stated, “This stroke distinction designation represents the culmination of 18 years of hard work by everyone involved in stroke care at Quinte Health. The surveyors recognized our constant desire to improve our stroke care, add new therapies, and evaluate and adjust protocols. I firmly believe we have one of the best stroke programs in the province, and we stand ready to do our best for our community providing top-notch stroke care for all those impacted by stroke in the region.”
Quinte Health Team Members of the Integrated Stroke and Rehabilitation Unit on Sills 3 at BGH. (Photo: submitted)
