Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas has once again been recertified as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest health care accrediting body. First certified in 2010, Texas Health Dallas takes part in the survey process every two years.

Texas Health Dallas’ stroke team recently treated a patient with a clot-busting tPA in a record 23 minutes.

Certification is based on an evaluation of standards of best practice, implementation of clinical practice guidelines and performance measurement activities such as door-to-needle times for the administration of Tissue Plasminogen Activator (t-PA), a clot-busting injection used to treat stroke patients.

“In terms of treatment, every minute counts when a patient arrives with symptoms of a stroke so giving this drug as soon as possible is a priority,” said Dr. Samir Shah, medical director of the stroke center at Texas Health Dallas. “This greatly increases the chance of a good outcome after a stroke.”

He added that The Joint Commission standards for 2014 require that 50 percent of patients receive this medication in less than 60 minutes after arrival. As of 2013, Texas Health Dallas has reached this goal and beyond with a total of 66 percent of our patients receiving the t-PA dose in this timeframe.

“This speaks volumes for our stroke program and the quality of care we’re providing to our patients,” said Latoya Basden, stroke program coordinator at Texas Health Dallas. “Our staff’s level of commitment to this program is outstanding. I see them give it their best each and every day.”

To learn more about the treatment, signs and symptoms of stroke, visit TexasHealth.org/stroke.

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas is an 898-bed acute care hospital and recognized clinical program leader, having provided compassionate care to the residents of Dallas and surrounding communities since 1966. U.S. News and World Report has ranked Texas Health Dallas among the nation’s best hospitals in digestive disorders, orthopedics, and neurology and neurosurgery. An affiliate of the faith-based, nonprofit Texas Health Resources system, Texas Health Dallas has approximately 4,000 employees and an active medical staff of more than 1,000 physicians. For more information, call 1-877-THR-WELL, or visit TexasHealth.org/Dallas.