Q. Does The Joint Commission define Acute Stroke in terms of hours or timeframe of onset of symptoms?

A. The Joint Commission does not specifically define Acute Stroke in terms of hours. The population for the purpose of performance measurement is defined by the ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis coded at discharge.  Tables 1 & 2 in the Appendices of the Stroke Performance Measurement Implementation Guide, 2nd Edition, available at http://www.jointcommission.org/CertificationPrograms/PrimaryStrokeCenters/stroke_pm_edition_2_ver_2a.htm list applicable ICD-9-CM codes.