LVH–Carbon Certified as Primary Stroke Center

Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Carbon earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® as a Primary Stroke Center.

“Achieving Primary Stroke Center designation reflects our commitment to delivering the highest standard of stroke care to our community,” says Steven Lewis, MD, Physician in Chief, Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute, and Regional Chief, Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Jefferson Health. “This recognition demonstrates the skill of our clinical teams led by our stroke medical director at LVH Carbon, Dr. Kathryn Cheponis, the strength of our emergency response protocols and our dedication to ensuring patients receive fast, lifesaving treatment when every second counts.”

A Primary Stroke Center is a hospital specially trained to quickly identify and treat strokes using nationally recognized, evidence‑based protocols, ensuring patients receive care as rapidly as possible when every minute counts. LVH–Carbon is located in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, and serves patients across Carbon County and the surrounding region.

“This designation is the result of our colleagues’ hard work and expertise,” says Bob Begliomini, PharmD, President, Jefferson Health–Lehigh Valley Region. “When moments matter, we provide timely, specialized care that improves outcomes and saves lives. This designation reinforces that our patients can trust they are receiving exceptional care from a team that is prepared for even the most complex stroke cases.”

To achieve this designation, LVH–Carbon in Lehighton underwent a comprehensive on-site evaluation by The Joint Commission reviewers. The review team evaluated how quickly stroke patients are assessed, how treatment decisions are made, and how consistently the care team follows proven stroke‑care practices designed to improve outcomes and patient safety.

“Primary Stroke Center certification recognizes health care 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 LVH–Carbon 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.”

LVH–Carbon has a dedicated emergency department physician trained in stroke care and a stroke neurologist available 24/7 who is also capable of recognizing and treating stroke symptoms. The stroke team can provide fast stroke assessment with imaging and is trained to administer clot-busting medication when necessary. Patients who require highly specialized stroke procedures can be seamlessly transferred to the Comprehensive Stroke Center at LVH–Cedar Crest in Allentown, ensuring patients have access to the appropriate level of stroke care through coordinated services within Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), part of Jefferson Health.

Remember BE FAST:

B – Balance loss
E – Eye or vision changes
F – Face drooping
A – Arm weakness
S – Speech difficulty
T – Time to call 911

If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Fast treatment can save lives and reduce long-term disability.