Washington Regional First in Region to Earn Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification
Washington Regional Medical Center recently became the first hospital in Northwest
Arkansas and only the second hospital in the state to earn certification as a
Comprehensive Stroke Center
by The Joint Commission. This prestigious designation is given to hospitals that have capabilities to treat
the most complex stroke cases. “This means that Washington Regional provides the highest level of stroke
care in Northwest Arkansas, giving stroke patients the best chance for positive outcomes,” says Larry
Shackelford, President and CEO of Washington Regional Medical System.
“As a comprehensive stroke center, patients have access to advanced treatments without having to be
transferred to another facility,” Shackelford says. According to Rebecca Cowie, Assistant Chief Nursing
Officer, “This designation is important because in the United States a person has a stroke every 40
seconds and dies of a stroke every 4 minutes. For every minute a stroke is untreated, there are over 1.9
million brain cells lost, which makes stroke the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S. Getting to
the right place quickly for stroke care is crucial and Comprehensive Stroke Centers offer patients the best
chance of survival and recovery.” Washington Regional offers the region’s only stroke specialists with
24/7/365 in-person care, minimally invasive stroke treatment options, advanced neurosurgical care,
advanced imaging and a neurosurgical intensive care unit.
To achieve the comprehensive certification, Washington Regional underwent a rigorous onsite review in
which The Joint Commission’s experts evaluated compliance with stroke standards and requirements. An
independent non-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. Visit
jointcommission.org to learn more.