ABSTRACT
The social and economic burden of stroke is a global concern. In Canada, an estimated 50,000 strokes occur each year and 315,000 Canadians are currently living with the impacts of stroke, which frequently involve a degree of disability. The Canadian healthcare system is universal and decentralized, with both federal and provincial/territorial governments playing key roles. Accreditation Canada is a not-for-profit, independent organization that provides national and international health organizations with quality-focused, comprehensive accreditation services. The Stroke Distinction program was created to recognize organizations for their outstanding commitment to excellence and leadership in stroke care. While the Stroke Distinction program has been followed by specific healthcare organizations, it focuses on the continuum of stroke care and therefore encourages stroke programs to apply for distinction as a network. The Stroke Distinction program has been implemented in three client organizations of Accreditation Canada International, two acute care organizations in Brazil, and one health system in Italy.
