State Designation Reflects Increased Level of Stroke Care in Nampa

Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Nampa has been designated as a Level II Stroke Center by the State of Idaho’s Time Sensitive Emergency Statewide Council (TSE). This makes the Nampa hospital the only one in Canyon County to be designated by the state in three key categories: Stroke, Trauma and Chest Pain.

The Level II designation reflects an upgrade in the level of stroke care capabilities from the last time the Idaho TSE conducted its survey; In 2019, Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Nampa was designated as a Level III stroke facility.

The new level designation means stroke victims can now receive advanced stroke care in Nampa.

“We have added a neurologist to our team who is supported 24/7 by the Saint Alphonsus Health System stroke program, enabling comprehensive treatment and allowing patients to receive care sooner, in Nampa,” said Travis Leach, President of Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Nampa. “This close-to-home care is better for patients and their families. As part of the larger Saint Alphonsus Health System, Nampa has access to high acuity neuro critical care and neurosurgery at the Boise campus if needed.”

“We’re using the latest technology and techniques to provide proven stroke care to patients in the Western Treasure Valley,” said Dr. Lukas Clark, Stroke Medical Director for Saint Alphonsus Health System. “The outcomes for patients receiving immediate care are greatly improved with the introduction of new treatment options.”

The Level II Stroke Center designation represents an evidence-based approach to highly organized systems of care in the event of a stroke, and was achieved by demonstrating improved patient outcomes, lowered costs, reduced preventable deaths and improved quality of life for patients.

The designation verifies the hospital provides nationally accepted evidence-based practices and standards of care for stroke patients. This systematic approach starts with community education and prevention and with 911 services to rapidly identify and treat time sensitive emergencies, with the goal being to reduce morbidity and mortality.

“We are very excited to have the Saint Alphonsus Nampa Medical Center as a designated Level II Stroke Center. As the hospital’s neurohospitalist, it is a privilege to be offering care to the communities of Nampa and Canyon County, allowing our patients to stay in Nampa after receiving thrombolytics (clot busting medication) and thrombectomy (clot removal therapies),” said Dr. Erik Valenti.

The Nampa hospital also now provides physical, occupational and speech therapists seven days a week to treat stroke patients, which helped achieve Level II stroke status.

Centrally located to serve the Western Treasure Valley, just off Interstate 84 at the Garrity exit, Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Nampa is designated as a Level III Trauma Center and now a Level II Stroke Center by the Idaho TSE.