DNV awards first Mobile Stroke Unit Certification to Memorial Hermann Houston Mobile Stroke Unit
DNV awarded its first Mobile Stroke Unit Certification to the Memorial Hermann Houston Mobile Stroke Unit, marking a milestone in prehospital stroke care
Houston, Texas 5 May 2025 – DNV, the independent assurance and risk management provider, awarded its first Mobile Stroke Unit Certification to the Memorial Hermann Houston Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU), setting a new benchmark in prehospital care of acute stroke.
To earn the Mobile Stroke Unit Certification, the newest service from DNV’s portfolio of stroke program certifications, the Memorial Hermann Houston MSU met rigorous standards set by DNV and based on guidelines from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.
These standards include immediate non-contrast CT imaging to differentiate ischemic from hemorrhagic strokes, the use of NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) and other scales to assess severity, and timely administration of IV thrombolysis.
A mobile stroke unit is a specialized ambulance equipped with advanced imaging technology, medication, and a specialized team to diagnose and treat acute stroke on the spot. By triaging at the site of the emergency before the patient reaches the hospital, those patients treated in the MSU were more likely to recover from the stroke without disability.
To verify the effectiveness of triage in the prehospital setting, the Memorial Hermann Houston MSU team conducted a nearly six-year research trial that compared outcomes for stroke patients treated by the MSU versus by standard emergency medical services (EMS).
The research was part of the ongoing BEST-MSU study and examined data from more than 1,000 patients who suffered an ischemic stroke and were eligible for IV thrombolysis at seven centers including Houston between 2014 and 2020.
The findings indicated that early intervention by the MSU to include the expediting of endovascular care and administration of IV thrombolysis nearly doubled the likelihood that patients were discharged directly to their homes and significantly reduced long-term disabilities and overall healthcare costs.
“This certification award marks a historic milestone promising better outcomes and reduced care costs for stroke patients,” said Kelly Proctor, President of Healthcare – Supply Chain & Product Assurance at DNV. “This achievement not only sets a new standard for prehospital treatment but also underscores our commitment to improving patient outcomes. The six-year research trial conducted by the MSU team has demonstrated the profound impact early intervention has for enhancing recovery and minimizing long-term disabilities for stroke patients."
Learn about DNV's line of advanced stroke program certifications, including the Mobile Stroke Unit Certification here.