HARRISBURG, Pa. - UPMC has been recognized for its ability to receive and treat central Pennsylvania's most complex stroke cases. The Joint Commission and American Stroke Association named UPMC Harrisburg a Comprehensive Stroke Center, their highest level of stroke care certification.
The new designation reflects an upward progression in UPMC Harrisburg's clinical capabilities and quality measures for advanced stroke care, including care offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with onsite access to a variety of neurosurgical and vascular procedures, such as the ground-breaking mechanical thrombectomy and aneurysm clipping.
"Time is of the essence when responding to a stroke," said Dr. Bart Thaci, director of neuroendovascular care, UPMC Neurological Institute, UPMC Harrisburg. "Comprehensive Stroke Center designation is evidence that our patients have timely and quality access to a variety of lifesaving of neurosurgical and neuroendovascular procedures."
In stroke care, "time is brain," which means getting treatment quickly can reverse or mitigate possible damage and could save a patient's life. UPMC Carlisle, UPMC Community Osteopathic, UPMC Hanover, UPMC Lititz, UPMC Memorial, and UPMC West Shore are all designated as primary stroke centers and work with Stat MedEvac, UPMC Community Life Team, and other local emergency medical services (EMS) agencies to diagnose and treat strokes, and if necessary, quickly transfer them to UPMC Harrisburg for life-saving endovascular or neurosurgical procedures.
UPMC Harrisburg achieved Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center certification in 2024. And to date, UPMC doctors have performed more than 375 thrombectomy procedures. UPMC continues to develop a robust stroke program in central Pennsylvania, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies like artificial intelligence programs and tele-neurosurgical consults to identify patients who could benefit from procedures available at UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC's hub for advanced stroke care in central Pennsylvania.
"Stroke care is a team effort and our recognition as a Comprehensive Stroke Center shows that our UPMC employees are committed to limiting the devastating impacts of strokes for our patients," said Elizabeth Ritter, president, UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC Community Osteopathic, and UPMC West Shore. "Years of hard work and careful collaboration between our neurology, neurosurgery, emergency medicine and critical care teams; UPMC Community Life Team and local EMS providers; and Stat MedEvac partners, makes this achievement possible so we can show up for our community when the worst happens."
UPMC's commitment to stroke care doesn't end when patients are discharged from the hospital. Through their stroke clinics in Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg and Lancaster, patients have access to the care and education they need to recover from and prevent future strokes. Nurse navigators work individually with stroke survivors to ensure they are getting follow-up care, treatments, and referrals to other medical specialists who can help them adjust to life after a stroke and prevent future strokes from happening.
"I'm proud of our care teams and their commitment to our patients and the community," said Kimberly Rinehart, executive administrator, UPMC Neurological Institute. "UPMC staff and community partners across our region work every day to respond to, treat, and help patients recover from strokes, and we thank them for their efforts."
Learn more about stroke care at UPMC.
