The Certification Process

Accredited healthcare facilities may apply for primary stroke center certification by completing an application and submitting it with the appropriate registration fee and required documents.

The application is processed, a survey team is formed and the survey is scheduled.

The first survey is announced and is scheduled in collaboration with the facility. Subsequent surveys are unannounced.

The surveys are usually scheduled within 90 days of receipt of the complete application and fees.

Once the survey is completed, the information gathered by the surveyors is forwarded to the HFAP office for review.

A formal deficiency report is sent to the facility within 30 working days.

The facility will respond to and correct any deficiencies cited within a 30 day period.

The response and corrective action taken are submitted to the Bureau of Healthcare Facilities Accreditation for review and final certification action.

There are 4 levels of certification:

1. Level 1 Certification-is valid for 2 years and is awarded to Stroke Centers that have successfully met all HFAP Primary Stroke center Certification Standards and have placed 30 patients or more on the Stroke Center protocol in the past 12 months.
2. Level 2 Certification-is valid for 1 year and is awarded to Stroke Centers that have successfully met all HFAP Primary Stroke Center Certification Standards but have not met the minimum patient volume requirement.
3. Interim Certification-indicates that a facility generally meets the Primary Stroke Center standards, but that certain areas have been identified which need additional work for full compliance.
4. Denial of Certification-indicates that a Primary Stroke Center has not met the HFAP requirements for certification.

The result of the Bureau action; in the form of a letter, is sent to the facility. A facility that has been granted Primary Stroke Center Certification is provided with an HFAP Primary Stroke Center Certificate.