Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center is Designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center

Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center (LAMC) has earned designation by the Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC), the highest level of stroke care certification offered by the independent accrediting and certification agency. The designation distinguishes LAMC as one of 125 Comprehensive Stroke Centers, out of more than 5,000 hospitals nationally.

While all Kaiser Permanente Southern California hospitals are Primary Stroke Centers, the Los Angeles Medical Center qualifies as a Comprehensive Stroke Center because of the facility’s specialized capabilities in neurologic disease.

To achieve this designation, a hospital’s stroke program must meet a stringent set of guidelines that includes:

• Extensive expertise of its program medical director
• Acute stroke team availability 24/7, with endovascular and vascular intervention
• Dedicated neuro intensive care beds for complex stroke patients 24/7
• Advanced diagnostic testing capability
• Participation in Institutional Review Board approved research
• Maintain a high volume of complex stroke patient care

LAMC treats nearly 1,000 strokes patients each year, providing critical treatment within minutes of their arrival. “My early memories of Kaiser Permanente are a bit hazy… [but] it soon became clear that I was surrounded by professionals who knew exactly what they were doing to help me get better,” recalls Michael Desilets of Los Angeles, CA, who was treated for a stroke at LAMC in April. “A few months later, I am in much better shape than I could have imagined. My thanks to Kaiser Permanente for leading the way.”

Mr. Desilets’ wife, Sue Kroll, agrees: “The care and attention to detail during our stay was flawless and the continuity of care was seamless. The ICU Stroke Center is a stunning example of modern day care – progressive, with a positive and propulsive energy that screams, ‘we are on it.’”

Of her husband’s attending neurologist, Mrs. Kroll adds: “Dr. Navdeep Sangha is a broad-thinking, brilliantly strategic and incredibly smart neurologist. I feel incredibly fortunate to have him in our lives.”

“Being honored for providing excellent patient care is the best recognition a hospital can get,” says Will Grice, Senior Vice President – Area Manager, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. “For years, our team of highly skilled caregivers has provided the highest level of specialized neurological care to our stroke patients. This certification cements our position as a leader in stroke care.”

LAMC is also home to Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s Telestroke program, which virtually connects LAMC’s team of trained neurologists to emergency room physicians across Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “When minutes count, the Telestroke model removes the need for a trained neurologist to be physically present to diagnose the stroke,” explains Navdeep Sangha, MD, Kaiser Permanente Southern California Regional Telestroke Lead. “If a patient with stroke symptoms arrives to the local Kaiser Permanente emergency department, the care team can connect virtually to a trained neurologist in a couple of minutes. For patients, Telestroke gives precious time to receive potentially life-saving care for an ischemic stroke,” he adds.

In addition to its designation as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, LAMC has been recognized for four consecutive years by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association with a Target Stroke Elite Plus® Award, for its excellence in improving stroke care.

To learn more about Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, visit www.kp.org/losangeles.