Northeast Baptist Hospital designated as ‘Primary Stroke Center Plus’

Hospital recognized for full spectrum of stroke care – diagnosis, treatment, rehab, education

(San Antonio) -- Baptist Health System is proud to announce that its Northeast Baptist Hospital (NEBH) has received designation by the accrediting organization DNV Healthcare USA, as a Primary Stroke Center Plus. This designation affirms the hospital is thrombectomy capable and ready to handle a full range of stroke-related medical problems.

NEBH’s designation and capabilities in stroke care are vital to the community it serves as stroke is a common problem in San Antonio. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is a leading cause of death, killing nearly 130,000 people each year, and is a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability. Because stroke or “brain attack” effects blood flow to the brain, rapid and effective treatment can save lives and provide the best chance of limiting the extent of long-term damage. A thrombectomy, which NEBH neurosurgeons and neuro-interventionalists can perform, is a surgery to remove a blood clot from an artery or vein. The procedure can restore blood flow to vital organs, like your legs, arms, intestines, kidneys, brain or other vital organs. A thrombectomy can greatly reduce the risk of death or permanent disability if performed promptly.

Northeast Baptist Hospital (NEBH) has served the greater San Antonio community as a Primary Stroke Center since 2009. As part of the hospital’s commitment to advance the level of services to the region’s fast-growing northeast and east areas, NEBH has spent the past three years planning and implementing a higher level of stroke care, performing its first mechanical thrombectomy procedure in February of 2021. Since then, Northeast has continued to build a top-quality interventional stroke program, which provides exceptional resources for patients suffering signs and symptoms of stroke.

Matt Stone, CEO of Baptist Health System, said he is proud of everyone at the hospital who worked tirelessly to make the achievement possible. “This progress has been a team effort that has involved almost every department in the hospital,” Stone said. “This certification let’s our community know we have the resources and commitment to provide the best possible stroke care. It is a combination of the right equipment, personnel and training to quickly assess and treat strokes. This includes the ability to efficiently transfer patients in the rare instances they require treatment beyond our capabilities Achieving certification validates all the effort we have put into this program and to ensuring the health and safety of our patients,” he said.

The DNV Primary Plus Stroke Center Certification is based on standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association, and affirms that NEBH addresses the full spectrum of stroke care – diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education – and establishes clear metrics to evaluate outcomes.

 “Achieving certification shows commitment to excellence,” said Kelly Proctor, President of DNV Healthcare USA Inc. “And it helps demonstrate to your community that you are performing at the highest level,” Proctor added.

Baptist Health System is nationally recognized for stroke care and operates be the city's first Comprehensive Stroke Center, located at St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital in the Medical Center, offering the highest level of stroke care available in the nation.

For more information about stroke care at Baptist Health System, visit https://www.baptisthealthsystem.com/services/neuroscience/stroke-treatment