Australian Stroke Coalition’s new Stroke Unit Certification Program

The Australian Stroke Coalition (ASC), co-chaired by the Stroke Society of Australasia and the Stroke Foundation, has developed a voluntary system for certification of stroke units. Australian hospitals are invited to express their interest in joining a 12-month pilot of certification, to start in late 2022.

Access to a stroke unit is one of the most important recommended elements of good stroke care. A stroke unit is defined as a dedicated location in a hospital, staffed by an interprofessional team with members who have expertise in acute stroke and/or rehabilitation.

Stroke unit care in Australia is variable. Results from the Stroke Foundation’s 2021 National Stroke Audit Acute Services report showed that only 84 percent of stroke patients in metropolitan areas received care in a dedicated stroke unit, while for patients in regional areas this was much lower at 41 percent.

Evidence suggests that rigorous stroke unit or stroke centre certification programs have the potential to improve the quality of stroke care and patient outcomes. As such, we have undertaken extensive consultation with a broad group of stakeholders to develop a voluntary system for certifying stroke units in Australian hospitals.

We invite you to be part of this exciting journey. Would you like to know if your hospital meets the nationally agreed criteria for a stroke unit?

For more information on the ASC’s Stroke Unit Certification Program, please contact Leah Pett: lpett@strokefoundation.org.au