ESO aims at increasing the quality of stroke care in Europe.

Hospitals across Europe are encouraged to apply for an ESO Stroke Unit or Stroke Centre certification.

Click here for an overview of the ESO certified centers and units.

Benefits

  • Aims to improve the quality of patient care by reducing variation in clinical processes – Evaluation by standards established by consensus in ESO and emphasis on clinical practice guidelines help organisations establish a consistent approach to care, reducing the risk of error.
  • Provides a benchmark for quality of stroke management – Certification standards help organize and document the stroke. This helps establishing high level of quality, by documenting access to primordial treatment and care in stroke patients.
  • Provides an objective assessment of clinical excellence – ESO Auditors have significant experience in stroke care, provide expert advice and follow well-defined criteria for evaluation based on the “European Stroke Organisation recommendations to establish a stroke unit and stroke centre”. (Stroke 2013; 44:828-40).
  • Creates a loyal, cohesive clinical team – Certification provides an opportunity for staff to develop their skills and knowledge. Achieving certification provides the clinical team with common goals and a concrete validation of their combined efforts.
  • Promotes a culture of excellence across the organization – Meeting ESO standards is an accomplishment, which certifies that the organisation meets the European standard of excellent stroke care.
  • Facilitates marketing, contracting and reimbursement – Certification may provide an advantage in a competitive health care marketplace and improve the ability to secure new business.
  • Strengthens community confidence in the quality and safety of care, treatment and services – Achieving certification makes a strong statement to the community about an organisation’s efforts to provide the highest quality service.

How to Apply?

European institutions can fill in detailed information about their own stroke unit or stroke centre on the ESO Certification Platform. The submission will be evaluated by Auditors and will be included in a database, visible in the public section of the website.

For more information visit www.eso-certification.org or send an email to eso-certification@eso-stroke.org.