Concord Hospital — Laconia earns primary stroke center designation

LACONIA — Concord Hospital — Laconia has been officially designated a Primary Stroke Center by DNV Healthcare, marking an advancement in stroke care for the Lakes Region and further strengthening Concord Hospital Health System’s commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based emergency and inpatient care close to home.

CHL has served the community as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital since November 2020. After an internal assessment earlier this year, the stroke team identified that they were already meeting many of the requirements of an advanced stroke program. In September, the hospital underwent a comprehensive DNV Stroke survey to be evaluated for the Primary Stroke Center criteria and successfully passed.

“The difference between an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital and a Primary Stroke Center is the capability to care for stroke patients beyond their initial stabilization in the emergency department,” said Stroke Program Coordinator Delia Canfield. “This includes advanced diagnostic imaging, seamless care transitions, and the ability to deliver post-thrombolytic monitoring and treatment in the ICU. Achieving this designation proves that our teams are equipped to care for patients throughout their entire stroke journey, not just their arrival.”

In addition to its new DNV designation, CHL earned multiple recognitions from the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines program, including Gold Recognition for Rural Stroke Care, Silver Plus for Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

These awards reflect adherence to the latest nationally recognized clinical guidelines, ensuring patients receive timely, consistent, and evidence-based stroke care.

CHL and Concord Hospital remain among a handful of Primary Stroke Centers in New Hampshire, underscoring the strength of Concord Hospital Health System’s regional approach to neurological and emergency care.

“These achievements reinforce our priority to ensure that patients in the Lakes Region have access to high-quality stroke care without needing to travel far from home,” said President and CEO of Concord Hospital Health System Robert P. Steigmeyer. “Our collaboration with DNV and the American Heart Association helps us remain aligned with the best evidence-based practices, so our patients receive expert care right here in their local community hospital.”

For more information, visit crhc.org.