As of January 1st, 2019, the Joint Commission will be implementing two new measures for Primary Stroke Center Certifications (PSC). These performance measures, known as Stroke Outpatient (STK-OP) Measure and the Comprehensive Stroke (CSTK) Measure are designed to improve data collection.
STK-OP
STK-OP-1 is designed to measure the “door in-door out” transfer time of stroke patients and compliment preexisting transfer measurements for patients being transported from primary stroke centers to higher acuity hospitals. Transfer times under STK-OP-1 will be reported on a monthly basis and will differentiate between patients who receive IV alteplase (t-PA) therapy prior to being transferred and those who may be eligible for mechanical thrombectomy.
CSTK
The CSTK measurement aims to broaden the range of data collected on Ischemic Stroke Patients in accordance with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores. While these records are currently recorded for Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Centers and Comprehensive Stroke Centers, CSTK will promote broadened data collection across multiple stroke certification programs.
For specifics on the existing eight STK measures in addition to the new STK-OP-01 and CSTK -01 guidelines, visit Joint Commission Requirements. For related articles, follow us on LinkedIn
