Aster MIMS Kozhikode becomes AHA-Accredited comprehensive stroke centre

Aster MIMS, Kozhikode, has become reportedly the first hospital in India to receive the Comprehensive Stroke Center accreditation from the American Heart Association (AHA). The recognition follows an evaluation of the hospital’s stroke care program, which includes advanced diagnostics, modern treatment methods, and comprehensive post-stroke care.

Aster MIMS operates with an integrated stroke care model that begins at the pre-hospital stage through its Response-Rescue-Resuscitation (R-R-R) system. The hospital also houses one of South Asia’s first Emergency Department Biplane Cathlabs, which enables precise stroke diagnosis and rapid medical intervention.

Lukman Ponmadath, Chief Operating Officer of Aster MIMS, said, “This accreditation reflects the hospital’s excellence in treating even the most complex stroke cases. It also highlights our advanced diagnostic services, modern treatment methods, and comprehensive post-stroke care, ensuring that patients receive the best possible treatment without delay.”

He further noted that Aster MIMS has previously received multiple awards for stroke care, including the World Stroke Organization’s Angels Awards (9 Diamond, 2 Platinum, and 3 Gold), the IHWS Patient-Centric Hospital in Stroke Care Award, and the Voice of Healthcare’s Stroke Innovation and Excellence Award.

Dr Venugopalan P.P, Head of the Emergency Department, stated, “Through these advanced stroke care infrastructures, we make sure that critical interventions are initiated without any delay which gradually improves patient health and helps them to recover faster.”

The R-R-R system ensures that emergency teams and hospital staff communicate in real-time, allowing immediate assessment and life-saving interventions even before a patient arrives. This process is critical in reducing delays for treatments such as thrombolysis (clot-dissolving therapy) and thrombectomy (mechanical clot removal), both essential for stroke management.

Upon arrival at the hospital, stroke patients are immediately taken to the Biplane Cathlab, where advanced brain imaging and precise treatment begin without delay. This approach minimises Door-to-Needle Time (DTNT) and Door-to-Groin Time (DTGT), which are crucial for stroke recovery outcomes.

The hospital’s neurologists, neurosurgeons, and critical care specialists, along with advanced imaging technologies, have played a significant role in achieving this accreditation.

A press conference announcing the recognition was attended by key officials, including Lukman Ponmadath, COO of Aster MIMS; Dr Jacob Alappat, Head of Neurosurgery; Dr Abraham Mammen, CMS; Dr Noufal Basheer, Deputy CMS; Dr Venugopalan P.P, Head of Emergency Medicine; Dr Abdul Rahman; Dr Rafeeque; and Dr Paul Alappat.