Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals (ASRH) – ASRH are hospitals that can provide emergency stroke care. These hospitals can diagnose, treat, and transport acute stroke patients to a higher level of care as warranted. ASRH hospitals may pursue voluntary designation from the Illinois Department of Public Health by submitting an application and supporting documentation. ASRHs must annually attest their continued compliance to the Illinois Department of Public Health to maintain designation. ASRH hospitals may pursue a national certificate in addition to the Illinois Department of Public Health designation. These hospitals were previously called “Emergent Stroke Ready Hospitals.”

The magnet recognition program was developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association. It recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing practice and quality patient care as a driving force. Organizations that are formally recognized must possess a number of specific qualities;

• Strong nursing leadership, shared organizational decision-making and effective communication;
• A model of patient care that emphasizes nursing accountability, coordination of patient care and vision of patient advocacy;
• Commitment to professional nursing “best practices” and professional growth;
• Continuous quality improvement in practice;
• Interdisciplinary relationships.

Hospitals that provide care to women and newborns at moderate risk, operate intermediate care nurseries and do not operate NICU or Special Care Nursery.