Improving Stroke Care: Why Stroke Unit Certification Matters
When a stroke happens, quick and effective treatment can make a big difference in recovery. Getting the right care during those first crucial hours and days can help reduce long-term effects. That’s why having dedicated stroke units in hospitals is so important. But what exactly is a stroke unit, and why does certification make a difference?
We spoke with Leah Pett, Senior Project Officer for Stroke Unit Certification at Stroke Foundation, to learn more.
What is a Stroke Unit?
A stroke unit is a special area in a hospital, staffed by a skilled team of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals who focus on stroke care. This team follows specific procedures to provide all-around care for stroke patients. They offer early rehabilitation, educate patients and their families, and work to continually improve the quality of stroke care.
The benefits are clear. Research shows that patients treated in a certified stroke unit have a 25% lower risk of death or dependency than those treated in other hospital wards. Simply put, care in a stroke unit can be life-changing.
Why is Stroke Unit Certification important?
While many Australian hospitals have a stroke unit, not all meet the high standards required to provide top-quality care. That’s where the Australian Stroke Coalition’s Stroke Unit Certification Program helps.
Launched in 2023, this voluntary certification ensures that hospitals follow strict standards for stroke care. Hospitals are thoroughly reviewed to confirm that their stroke units meet these standards. In less than two years, 24 hospitals across Australia have achieved certification, and the program has received global recognition from the World Stroke Organisation.
How does certification improve patient outcomes?
The goal of Stroke Unit Certification is simple yet ambitious: to raise the quality of stroke care across Australia. This program helps hospitals meet the required standards so that every stroke patient can receive high-quality care, no matter where they are.
Stroke units have been shown to improve patients' chances of surviving a stroke, staying independent, and living at home a year after stroke. By 2030, the program hopes that over 90% of Australian stroke patients will be cared for in certified stroke units.
Looking to the Future
The Stroke Unit Certification Program is a big step forward for stroke care in Australia. By setting a high standard for stroke treatment, this program is helping save lives and improve recovery for thousands of Australians.
Access to a certified stroke unit could be the difference between a full recovery and lasting disability. We urge both state and federal governments to continue investing more in high-quality stroke care, ensuring that everyone has access to the timely and life-saving treatment and supports they need.
The Australian community has an important role in this journey. By supporting better stroke care and backing programs like Stroke Unit Certification, we can help ensure every stroke patient in Australia gets the best possible treatment.
Together, we can make a real impact and work toward a future where top-quality stroke care is accessible to all.
The team at Logan Hospital receiving their ASC Stroke Unit Certification as a primary stroke centre.