Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the U.S. and approximately 795,000 people each year experience a new or recurrent stroke, according to the American Heart Association's 2023 statistical update. A new certification offered by the American Heart Association, the world's leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health for all, can help skilled nursing facilities support faster and more effective recovery from stroke through standardized coordination, adherence and implementation of evidence-based care.
The new Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification provides a framework for evaluating skilled nursing facilities against the American Heart Association's rigorous science-based requirements for stroke rehabilitation, including program management, patient and caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management and quality improvement.
"Participation in this certification benefits the patient and the facility by standardizing care practices," said Pamela Duncan, PhD, PT, FAPTA, FAHA, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association's Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification Oversight Workgroup. "When there are evidence-based processes during every phase of care, patients have the best opportunity for positive outcomes. This certification will help patients and their loved ones choose a facility that follows these important best practices."
As the Association celebrates 100 years of service in 2024, this new certification demonstrates its commitment to improving people's futures.
This certification was developed as the result of an initiative funded by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to develop and implement American Heart Association Post-Acute Stroke Care Quality Standards program in rehabilitation facilities.
To be eligible for this certification, freestanding skilled nursing facilities or swing beds in critical access hospitals must be in the United States or a U.S. territory and implement a stroke rehabilitation program that uses a standardized method of delivering clinical care based on current evidence-based guidelines. Learn more about this certification and others at www.Heart.org/CertifiedCare.
