Houston va receives comprehensive stroke center certification from dnv | va houston health care | veterans affairs

Houston , TX — The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center recently became the first VA in the nation to receive certification from DNV as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, reflecting the highest

level of competence for the treatment of serious stroke events. “With stroke care, you must have the best clinicians and resources, but also the ability to act organizationally with extreme

efficiency because of the time-critical nature of these events,” said Dr. Pitchaiah Mandava MD PhD, Chief of Neurology at the Houston VA.  “This certification from DNV validates all the

effort we have put into this program and to ensuring the health and safety of our Veterans. We are the first VA Hospital to be so certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center and our hospital

is a model in stroke care to other VA facilities. ” The DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification is based on standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke

Association, and affirms that the Houston VA addresses the full spectrum of stroke care – diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education – and establishes clear metrics to evaluate

outcomes. Comprehensive stroke centers are typically the largest and best-equipped hospitals and can treat patients with ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.  

The Houston VA team providing stroke care to Veterans consists of ER physicians, Neurologists, Neuro-interventionalists, Endovascular Neurosurgeons, and Intensivists, Mandava said. 

Excellent nursing care by our Magnet Certified nurses, in addition, to speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy services, round out the complete care that Veterans get at

our VA, he added.   “Achieving this certification demonstrates our commitment to excellence in caring for Veterans,” said Frank Vazquez, Medical Center Director. “We want our Veterans to

know that we are performing at the highest level and acting quickly and professionally to ensure they get the world-class care they deserve.” According to Mandava, getting medical help

quickly via ambulance or air transport is of paramount importance to Veterans who may be having a stroke. "If a Veteran can get to us quickly enough, we can limit the amount of

disability he or she may have from a stroke,” he said.  “If they get here very, very quickly, sometimes we can eliminate disability altogether." Doctors urge that everyone know the

saying 'Be Fast' and be on the lookout for sudden signs that could mean a stroke. * B - balance is off * E - eyes change and vision issues * F - face drooping * A - arm weakness *

S - speech suddenly slurs * T - time becomes of the utmost importance and act fast by calling 911 or getting to the hospital