Certification of stroke centre and stroke units in Switzerland

In Switzerland, since 2011, a mandatory certification system for stroke units (SUs) and stroke centres has been successfully implemented. Detailed criteria for stroke centres and SUs focusing on leadership, specialized staff, infrastructure, diagnostic procedures, treatment procedures, monitoring, education, research and key data have been defined by the Swiss Federation of Clinical Neurosocieties Swiss Stroke Committee mainly based on recommendations of the Swiss Stroke Society and European Stroke Organisation. During the certifications procedures, a very close and fruitful cooperation between stroke centres and SUs and other hospitals in regional networks could be observed. Improvement in the infrastructure and the quality of stroke care has been achieved during the last years