Association Between Stroke Center Hospitalization for Acute Ischemic Stroke and Mortality

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Abstract
Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability and the third leading cause of mortality in the United States.1 Responding to the need for improvements in acute stroke care, the Brain Attack Coalition (BAC) published recommendations for the establishment of primary stroke centers in 2000.2 In December 2003, the Joint Commission began certifying stroke centers based on BAC criteria.3 Now, nearly 700 of the 5000 acute care hospitals in the United States are Joint Commission–certified stroke centers.4 Some states, such as New York, Massachusetts, and Florida, have established their own designation programs using the BAC core criteria.