Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Redesignated as Level 1 Comprehensive Stroke Center by Idaho TSE

Boise Hospital Provides Highest Level of Care for Stroke Victims

Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise has been redesignated as a Level 1 Stroke Center by the Idaho Time Sensitive Emergency Statewide Council (TSE). The designation affirms that SARMC provides the highest level of care for stroke patients.

“This certification is a testament to the ongoing exceptional care that our stroke team provides at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center,” said Dr. Ondrej Choutka, MD, Saint Alphonsus Neurosurgeon. “We have a dedicated stroke unit staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, emergency physicians, interventional neuro-radiologists, nurses, therapists, and technicians. When someone suffers a stroke, our expertise can help provide the fastest response and most precise care.”

The Time Sensitive Emergency Council is an organization approved and funded by the Idaho Legislature to develop a statewide Time Sensitive Emergency system of care to address three of the top five causes of death in Idaho: trauma, stroke, and heart attack. The Level 1 Stroke designation accounts for performance in 911 access, response coordination, transport, pre-hospital response, hospital emergency and acute care, rehabilitation, quality improvement, public education and prevention efforts. Idaho’s TSE program has created three designation levels for stroke centers, five levels for trauma centers and two levels for heart attack centers.

A Level 1 TSE Designation denotes a center which offers a full spectrum of neuroendovascular care. The center has established time metrics, minimum volumes and specialty support to include a 24/7 Emergency Department. It also has neuro radiologists available 24/7, to complete radiological interventions including medication and mechanical thrombectomy. A Level 1 Center also has a dedicated stroke response team, full-time stroke coordinator and provides neurology, neurosurgery and a dedicated neuro-intensive care unit.

Saint Alphonsus has Idaho’s only extensive telestroke network, providing immediate care for patients in rural and underserved communities. Patients can be seen by using real-time audio and video technology, allowing our specialists to diagnose and support prompt treatment locally.

The Saint Alphonsus Health System includes the Life Flight Network for rapid air transport of stroke patients throughout Idaho and Oregon.

Members of the Saint Alphonsus Stroke Care Team

(from left) Brian Thompson, Amanda Hunter, Jeff Weltzin, Terry Newsom, Jane Spencer, Dr. Lukas Clark,

Dr. Nicholas Okon (in monitor), Herb Mumford, Dr. Vicken Garabedian, Claire Jones, Dr. Ondrej Choutka,

Ashly Collins, Carin Bohan