Leavenworth, KS, December 15, 2025 – Saint John Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Acute Stroke Ready Hospital (ASRH) Certification.
Saint John Hospital underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review on October 21, 2025. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management, supporting self-management, and delivering and facilitating clinical care. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
“The Acute Stroke Ready Hospital Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission . “We commend Saint John Hospital for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”
“We congratulate Saint John Hospital for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”
“Our ASRH accreditation is a testament to our dedication to high-quality and compassionate patient care,” says Shelbie Cox, Infection Control and Performance Improvement Manager at Saint John Hospital . “By implementing rapid protocols and continuously improving our processes, we ensure that every patient receives the best possible treatment for strokes, right in our community.”
To ensure the highest quality of care, Saint John Hospital must meet stringent eligibility requirements for accreditation as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital (ASRH). These include demonstrating the ability to provide rapid triage, imaging, and treatment for stroke patients, implementing standardized evidence-based protocols to reduce medical errors, and establishing partnerships with Stroke Receiving Facilities for enhanced neurology support. Continuous monitoring of performance data and patient outcomes is vital for ongoing improvement and maintaining accreditation.
For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website
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Saint John Hospital has a 24-hour, seven day a week emergency service department, featuring board-qualified physicians, specially trained emergency nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Committed to serving the community, Saint John Hospital provides expert care, close to home. To learn more, visit the Saint John Hospital website.