In order to receive certification, a stroke center must:

Have significant resources in infrastructure, staff and training to provide state-of-the-art care to all stroke patients;

Have dedicated neuro-intensive care unit beds for complex stroke patients that that provide neuro-critical care 24/7;

Use advanced imaging capabilities;

Meet minimum requirements for providing care to patients with a diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage, preforming endovascular coiling or surgical clipping procedures for aneurysm, and administering IV tPA;

Coordinate post-hospital care for patients;

Use peer-review process to evaluate and monitor the care provided to patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke;

Analyze and use standardized performance measure data to continually improve treatment plans; (16 measures required); and

Participate in stroke research.