Niagara Health staff gather to celebrate the team's incredible achievement of earning Stroke Distinction from Accreditation Canada, recognizing their commitment to delivering exceptional stroke care across the Niagara region.
Niagara Falls Hospital has earned national recognition for its exceptional stroke care, receiving the Stroke Distinction from Accreditation Canada.
This recognition follows an intensive on-site survey in May, where Accreditation Canada surveyors evaluated Niagara Health’s acute stroke program against national standards. The achievement confirms that patients at Niagara Falls Hospital are receiving high-quality stroke care throughout the stroke journey - from prevention and emergency treatment to community reintegration and support after discharge. Stroke Distinction is a reflection of the dedicated Niagara Health teams working across the full continuum of stroke care to improve outcomes and help patients recover and return to their lives.
“Receiving Stroke Distinction is a proud moment for our organization and a testament to the expertise, dedication and collaboration of our stroke team,” says Heather Paterson, Executive Vice President, Clinical Operations. “This achievement reflects our commitment to delivering safe, timely and evidence-based care to stroke patients across the region.”
Alongside Niagara Health, the assessment was part of a coordinated Stroke Distinction review across several hospitals that are a part of the Central South Regional Stroke Network. Accreditation Canada also awarded Stroke Distinction to Hamilton Health Sciences (Hamilton General Hospital), Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre and the Waterloo Regional Health Network (Midtown and Chicopee campuses).
As the District Stroke Centre for Niagara, Niagara Health’s Niagara Falls Hospital plays a central role in supporting high-quality care throughout the stroke care continuum, ranging from emergency response and acute treatment to community reintegration. “This recognition reflects the strength of our regional partnerships and the exceptional work of our interprofessional teams,” says Leanne Kent, Niagara Health’s District Stroke Care Coordinator. “From Stroke Prevention through to reintegration to the community, we are focused on ensuring every patient receives best practice stroke care, every step of their journey.”
Looking ahead, Niagara Health is laying the groundwork for the future by establishing a Centre of Excellence for Stroke at the new South Niagara Hospital build in Niagara Falls, scheduled to open in 2028. This Centre of Excellence will bring together specialized neurology clinics, rapid stroke assessment, prevention education and integrated inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation services under one roof.
Ranked as one of the top stroke care providers for patient outcomes in Ontario, the District Stroke Centre strives to provide equitable stroke care across the Niagara Region to further elevate stroke care accessibility, quality and innovation for our communities.
Niagara Health’s Stroke Care program includes advanced diagnostics and treatment options, early supported discharge services and active participation in stroke clinical trials through the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute. The Stroke Distinction designation will remain in place for four years, during which time Niagara Health will continue to report on key performance indicators and implement continuous improvements to further enhance stroke care in the region.
This achievement builds on Niagara Health’s record of excellence in delivering extraordinary care and reflects the organization’s strategic priority to be a leader in clinical innovation, partnerships and patient centered outcomes.
