FREMONT – Methodist Fremont Health has announced that Dunklau Gardens has become the first skilled nursing facility in Nebraska to obtain the Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification offered by the American Heart Association.
This certification highlights the carefully coordinated efforts that facilities put forth in implementing comprehensive, evidence-based rehabilitative care for stroke patients.
Dunklau Gardens offers 106 beds for residents in need of skilled care, including 22 in the short-term rehabilitation unit, and four large hospice suites. Its staff of over 100 includes nursing, therapy, social work and clinical support professionals.
“At Dunklau Gardens, we believe in providing the highest quality of care and best quality of life possible for all our residents. For our stroke patients, that includes giving them the best chance at faster, more effective recovery,” said Tammy Deemer, RN-BC, LNHA, administrator for Dunklau Gardens. “This certification is a testament to our efforts in the rehabilitative process. And it’s a promise to our community that we will continue seeking out the most innovative, individualized approaches to stroke care and beyond.”
Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the U.S. Approximately 795,000 people each year experience a new or recurrent stroke, according to the Association’s 2024 statistical update. This certification provides a framework for evaluating skilled nursing facilities against rigorous science-based requirements for stroke rehabilitation, including program management, patient and caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management, and quality improvement.
“When there are evidence-based processes during every phase of care, patients have the best opportunity for positive outcomes,” said Pamela Duncan, PhD, PT, FAPTA, FAHA, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association’s Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification Oversight Workgroup.
