Essen, of all places? Absolutely: Ever since Germany’s first stroke unit opened there in 1994, the Department of Neurology at Essen University Hospital has consistently made a name for itself. Now the department has received the highest award from the European Stroke Organization (ESO)—much to the delight of its director, Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Kleinschnitz, who is considered one of the foremost specialists in stroke care.
In many respects, Essen University Hospital ranks among the leading medical institutions in Germany. Just recently, the hospital drew attention as a digital pioneer in the field of “smart hospitals.” This latest award is once again making headlines nationwide: The Stroke Unit of the Department of Neurology at Essen University Hospital received the ESO’s highest “Stroke Center Seal.” With this seal, the European Stroke Organization (ESO) recognizes facilities that provide the best care for stroke patients across the entire continent.
The Department of Neurology in Essen, headed by Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Kleinschnitz, is only the third department in Germany to be awarded this certification level. Across Europe, there are now fourteen such departments. “For us, this is an outstanding achievement—and proof that Essen University Hospital continues to play a pioneering role in Germany with this award,” said Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Kleinschnitz upon learning of the award.
Stroke Specialist: Director Prof. Dr. Kleinschnitz
According to Prof. Kleinschnitz, it is “only logical to establish cross-border treatment standards in Europe.” Thanks to the certification, the hospital complex is now even more in the spotlight of the medical community. And quite rightly so, as the hospital director emphasizes—he is also listed by the Leading Medicine Guide as an outstanding specialist: “In terms of care, we are the stroke center for the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region and the surrounding areas,” he says.
Prof. Dr. med. Kleinschnitz also highlights the importance of transparent treatment quality, as exemplified in Essen: “Globally, stroke is the second leading cause of death. In the European Union alone, it claims the lives of 500,000 people every year!”
Working Hand in Hand: Every Minute Counts
For the stroke experts at Essen’s “Stroke Unit,” led by Director Prof. Kleinschnitz, certification by the European Stroke Organization is by no means their first accolade. The competent and dedicated team at the Department of Neurology had already been certified as a supraregional “Stroke Unit” under the quality management system in accordance with the quality standards of the German Stroke Society and the German Stroke Foundation. There are 22 beds across two wards, ten of which are dedicated to the supraregional care of patients with acute stroke.
The quality of the Essen unit and comparable facilities has even been demonstrated by studies: According to these studies, stroke patients treated in these acute care wards clearly live longer and suffer fewer long-term complications than patients who are not treated in “stroke units.”
For Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Kleinschnitz and his team, this recognition at the highest European level is both an honor and an incentive: Because every minute counts in the event of a stroke, the hospital provides the best possible care—with an approach designed to ensure that no time is wasted. Just like top athletes, they are highly motivated to continually optimize their processes.
Doctors and nursing staff: well-coordinated teams
To ensure the consistently high quality of care—well above the average—University Medical Center Essen relies on interdisciplinary collaboration among multiple clinics and various medical specialties under one roof. A swift workflow is always guaranteed—from the Central Emergency Department with its trauma room and integrated CT scanner, through the Stroke Unit, to the neurological intensive care unit for severe strokes. In addition, the specially trained nursing staff works hand in hand with the specialists in a well-rehearsed routine—and with the utmost concentration.
However, the criteria of the European Stroke Organization (ESO) for awarding the Stroke Center seal encompass more than just treatment quality, interdisciplinary collaboration, and short response times. To meet the ESO’s high certification standards, productive collaboration with scientific and therapeutic neuropsychologists is also required. For Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Kleinschnitz and his team, professional exchange is, of course, always a priority—so it’s no wonder that, in the end, all criteria were met with flying colors.
This prestigious European-level award demonstrates that Essen is on the right track. A digital pioneer, a “Smart Hospital,” and a whole host of proven top specialists—here in the metropolis between the Ruhr and the Rhine, the future looks very bright!
Learn more about Prof. Kleinschnitz on his expert profile, where you can easily and directly contact the specialist!
A report by Matthias Kühn
