US Acute Care Solutions and the University of Pennsylvania Work Together to Prevent Stroke Misdiagnosis
Press Release
Jan 7, 2025
CANTON, Ohio, January 7, 2025 — US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) is proud to announce a collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania Health System (Penn Medicine) to incorporate the USACS “dizziNIHSS” initiative at Penn Medicine’s three Philadelphia emergency departments, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
Designed to enhance diagnosis of posterior strokes, this innovative approach reminds clinicians to perform the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), test of skew, and gait evaluation for any patient presenting with dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance. The new collaboration aims to transform stroke diagnosis and care, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and population health.
The Stakes: Posterior Strokes and Catastrophic Outcomes
Posterior strokes are missed in as many as two-thirds of cases because many do not present with commonly recognized stroke symptoms like weakness, numbness, or speech difficulties. Instead, posterior strokes can be misdiagnosed as vertigo caused by inner ear dysfunction, fainting episodes, or even psychiatric diseases. The adage, “time is brain,” means that not identifying and treating strokes early can lead to catastrophic outcomes for patients. The dizziNIHSS approach prioritizes the NIHSS as a key diagnostic tool to identify strokes that are most commonly missed.
Why the NIHSS?
- NIHSS is superior to CT and MRI for detecting early strokes.
- The assessment can be performed immediately on any patient, by any clinician, at any facility, regardless of local resource constraints, and takes only a few minutes.
- NIHSS is efficient and free, providing essential value to patients while optimizing clinical operations and resources.
Data-Driven Results
The implementation of the dizziNIHSS initiative, combined with comprehensive training and ongoing feedback for clinicians, has increased use of the NIHSS for atypical neurological symptoms at USACS-staffed emergency departments, from 17% to 73%. Patients cared for by USACS clinicians have up to a four times greater chance of receiving timely and accurate stroke diagnoses.
“The dizziNIHSS initiative here at USACS is a prime example of fulfilling our mission to care for patients,” said Dr. Amer Aldeen, Chief Medical Officer of USACS, who coined the label, “dizziNIHSS,” and co-developed the initiative with Dr. John Bedolla, USACS National Director of Risk Science. “Our national physician-owned practice serving hundreds of community emergency departments collaborating with a powerhouse academic institution of Penn Medicine’s caliber is exactly the kind of innovation we need to drive healthcare forward.”
"We are excited to collaborate with USACS in using the dizziNIHSS method, reinforcing our commitment to early and accurate diagnosis of all strokes, anterior and posterior," said Dr. Benjamin Sun, Professor and Chair of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.
"The dizziNIHSS initiative aligns with our efforts to enhance patient safety and ensure that critical assessments are never overlooked," stated Dr. Jenice Baker, Chair of Emergency Medicine at Pennsylvania Hospital.
"Partnering with Penn Medicine to implement this evidence-based, cost-effective, and operationally efficient approach demonstrates our shared dedication to improving outcomes and reducing the risk for missed strokes," added Dr. Bedolla.
About USACS
Founded by emergency medicine and inpatient physicians across the country, USACS is solely owned by its physicians and hospital system partners. The group is a national leader in integrated acute care, including emergency, hospital, and critical care services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately 11 million patients annually across more than 400 programs and is aligned with many of the leading health systems in the country. Visit usacs.com for more.
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Media Contact
Marty Richmond
Corporate Communications Department
US Acute Care Solutions
330.493.4443 x1406
[email protected]
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Press Release
Apr 25, 2025
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CANTON, Ohio, April 25, 2025 – US Acute Care Solutions (USACS), the nation’s largest physician-owned emergency and inpatient medicine practice, today announced it has named Roya Caloia, DO, MPH, FACEP, FAAEM, Chair of its National Clinical Governance Board. Dr. Caloia’s term as Chair will begin May 1, 2025.The USACS National Clinical Governance Board (NCGB) is unique in the acute healthcare industry. Established in 2015 and led by experienced physicians, the NCGB monitors and responds to clinical governance issues at USACS sites. Elected by their peers, the 18 board members are the physicians who set the clinical strategic direction of the practice. Their work includes reviewing and approving evidence-based bedside tools, assessing clinical outcomes, and evaluating patient experiences, with the aim to improve healthcare services nationwide.Most recently, Dr. Caloia served as the National Director of Clinical Education and Vice Chair of the NCGB. She will assume the role of Chair following her predecessor, Dr. Joan Kolodzik, MD, FACEP, who has served in that capacity since 2021.“Serving as Chair of the NCGB over the past four years has had a tremendous impact on my career,” shared Dr. Kolodzik. “It was an honor to contribute to the continuous improvement of our high-quality patient care efforts and the well-being of our clinician colleagues. I have full confidence Dr. Caloia will lead the NCGB to new heights as she transitions into this critical role for our practice.”Dominic J. Bagnoli, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, Executive Chair of the USACS Board of Directors, said, “Dr. Kolodzik was an exemplary leader of the NCGB, achieving milestones that will undoubtedly serve as the foundation for our group’s continued success for years to come. Knowing that Dr. Caloia has worked closely alongside Dr. Kolodzik throughout her successful term as Chair provides great reassurance that the NCGB will continue to thrive in support of our mission to serve patients.”“The NCGB is a unique differentiator of our practice, and I am truly honored to be afforded the opportunity to serve as Chair,” expressed Dr. Caloia. “To have a group of physicians, independent of operations, solely focused on the right thing for patients and the right thing for our physicians and APPs is incredible.”Dr. Caloia is a board-certified emergency physician and practices clinically at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc, MI. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami, a master’s degree in public health from Florida International University, and a medical degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her internship at Palmetto General Hospital and her residency at Oakwood Southshore Medical Center, where she was the chief resident.About USACSFounded by emergency medicine and inpatient physicians across the country, USACS is solely owned by its physicians and hospital system partners. The group is a national leader in integrated acute care, including emergency, hospital, and critical care medicine services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately 11 million patients annually across more than 400 programs and is aligned with many of the leading health systems in the country. Visit usacs.com for more.###Media ContactMarty RichmondCorporate Communications DepartmentUS Acute Care Solutions330.493.4443 [email protected]
Press Release
Mar 20, 2025
US Acute Care Solutions Names Kyle Kirkpatrick Executive Vice President, National Director of Advanced Practice
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