The Comprehensive Stroke Program of the North Shore-LIJ Health System (NSLIJHS) received the 2009 Excellence in Patient Safety Award from the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council (NSHC). This top honor is awarded for distinguished achievement in patient safety and quality improvement. North Shore-LIJ finished first among 24 submissions to NSHC, the membership association that represents Long Island’s 24 not-for-profit and public hospitals.
The award honored the NSLIJHS for implementing a stroke program among its tertiary and community hospitals and affiliated entities that ensures a uniform standard of care for patients, families and the communities the health system serves. A stroke task force comprised of neurologists, interventionalists and nurses representing the health system’s individual hospitals, emergency response division, rehabilitation services and home care network collaborated to adopt and implement evidence-based protocols.
The Stroke Task Force has established a uniform methodology for performance measurement and improvement through participation in the American Heart Association (AHA), American Stroke Association’s (ASA), and Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Recognition Program , an evidence-based program for in-hospital quality improvement. The health system’s hospitals have received Gold, Silver and Bronze Achievement Awards from the AHA/ASA in recognition of their success in improving quality of care for stroke patients.
