Canberra Hospital has marked an exciting milestone, becoming the ACT's first hospital to receive stroke unit certification by the Australian Stroke Coalition.
The ASC Stroke Unit Certification Program certifies hospitals that consistently meet a stringent set of national criteria designed to deliver the best possible stroke care to patients. This includes caring for all stroke patients on a single dedicated ward, providing specialist staffing, regular training, data monitoring and improvement, and patient involvement in decision making.
Canberra Hospital is among only 23 Australian hospitals that are officially certified. These include:
• Latrobe Regional Hospital (VIC)
• Royal Melbourne Hospital (VIC)
• Austin Health (VIC)
• Northern Hospital (VIC)
• Alfred Hospital (VIC)
• Echuca Hospital (VIC)
• Box Hill Hospital (VIC)
• University Hospital Geelong (VIC)
• St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals (WA)
• Royal Adelaide Hospital (SA)
• Launceston General Hospital (TAS)
• Townsville Hospital (QLD)
• Logan Hospital (QLD)
• Toowoomba Hospital (QLD)
• Sunshine Coast University Hospital (QLD)
• Gold Coast University Hospital (QLD)
• Alice Springs Hospital (NT)
• Royal North Shore Hospital (NSW)
• Sydney Adventist Hospital (NSW)
• Gosford Hospital (NSW)
• Shoalhaven Hospital (NSW)
• Wagga Wagga Base Hospital (NSW)
• Canberra Hospital (ACT)
Stroke Foundation National Manager Stroke Treatment, Kelvin Hill, says this will improve outcomes for patients.
"Treatment in a dedicated stroke unit is proven to make the biggest overall difference of any intervention to patient outcomes following stroke, reducing the risks of both death and disability. Both Australian and international evidence suggests that rigorous stroke centre certification programs improve the quality of stroke care and patient outcomes."
The need for a certification system comes after Stroke Foundation's National Acute Services Audit 2024 found that not all Australian hospitals with a self-designated stroke unit meet the requirements for stroke unit care.
"This means some people experiencing a stroke are being provided suboptimal care which impacts their recovery and leads to poorer health outcomes. This is unfair. All Australian survivors of stroke deserve the best quality of care regardless of where they are hospitalised. There should be no postcode lottery," Mr Hill said.
Participation in the program is voluntary and there is no penalty for hospitals that do not meet the criteria. However Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation President, Professor Tim Kleinig, is optimistic that all Australian hospitals with self-designated stroke units will apply for certification over time.
"This is an opportunity for all Australian hospitals treating patients with stroke to further enhance the already excellent work their stroke teams deliver. Quality stroke unit care is a human right and all Australians deserve nothing less. We must ensure everyone unfortunate enough to have a stroke has the best possible chance, not only of survival, but also a good post-stroke recovery."
"I applaud these hospitals for taking the necessary steps in ensuring they meet and maintain a high quality of stroke care. Along with the World Health Organization and World Stroke Organisation, we hope all hospitals providing stroke care will participate in the certification process," Professor Kleinig said.
