You will find some frequently asked questions below. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
Do I have to respond to all questions?
Yes, you have to upload the needed documents for ALL questions, not only the yellow marked must criterias.
Where do I get a log-in?
Please click on “Login” and then on “Create new Login”. Enter your Email Adresse and the certification system will send you an email which you have to confirm.
How much is the application fee?
The application fee is EUR 1250.00 for Stroke Units and EUR 2500.00 for Stroke Centres, which can be paid by bank transfer.
Are there any fee reductions?
Stroke Units and Stroke Centres from countries designated by the World Bank rating as low-income, lower-middle-income and upper-middle-income economies are eligible to apply for a grant. Please click here for further details.
Who can apply for certification?
All european countries can apply for ESO Certification.
Where can I find the Online Certification Application Form?
You can find the Online Certification online in the tab “Application”. Questions highlighted in yellow are must-criteria’s and they must be fulfilled. If you cannot fulfil any of them, we highly recommend you not to start the online certification process before you have all required documents ready and services available.
Can I upload the documents in my native language?
Please upload all documents in English, as we work with international auditors. In Chapter "E" documents in local language are allowed.
What is a Stroke Neurologist and neurology experienced stroke physician?
A Stroke neurologist is a person with speciality training in neurology but with main working activity, competency and career dedication within the field of stroke medicine.
A Neurology experienced stroke physician is a person with other speciality training than neurology but with main working activity, competency and career dedication within stroke medicine and has enough competency within the field of neurologic diseases to care for stroke patients with ease and security.
In some european countries there are clear specification and certification of physicians for competency and speciality for the above and if so, then they apply, but were specifications are lacking, ESO considers that the minimum requirements are the above definition, that the main clinical working is with in the field of stroke and or work in research-, quality work or other developmental work for local, regional or national stroke care.
ESO aims to raise and even the standard of competency within Europe of physicians that care for patients with stroke and considers the European Master Programme in Stroke Medicine endorsed by ESO or programs of similar quality as the ideal or gold standard for the definition af competency of a person defined as a stroke neurologist or neurology experienced stroke physician.
If I have any technical problems with the online application, who can I contact?
Please contact eso-certification@eso-stroke.org or you can reach us under +41 61 686 77 76.
How long is the certification valid?
The certification is valid for 5 years.
What about re-certification?
After 5 years you can apply again for certification online.
After having submitted the application, when will I be informed about the result?
If you have fully completed the questionnaire online and also attached all necessary documents, the audit will take a maximum of 5 months to its final decision. If we need further information and documents the process will take longer.
Do I need to be a member of ESO society?
Yes, the applicant must be a member of the ESO society.
Can I make changes in online application form?
You can complete the online application form step by step. But once you have submitted the application, you are no longer able to make any changes.
Where can I find a list of all necessary documents?
You can find this list in the online certification application form under “Application”.
Are there onsite visits?
Onsite audits in selected cases might be done.
How many nurses are needed per stroke bed?
The ESO Stroke Unit Committee has not given a fixed ratio. Evaluation for certification is done after the hospital has described the functions, including personnel numbers, their teaching, knowledge and skills. Described functions and personnel numbers will be evaluated.
If there are no numbers given in the questions, the auditors will make an evaluation about the whole process in your hospital.
How do ESO define a stroke neurologist? How do ESO define a neurology experienced stroke physician?
The ESO Stroke Unit Committee has deliberately not clearly defined these functions as countries are different. Some countries may have clear specification and certification, others do not. The ESO “Master of Stroke” program for young physicians has since the foundation of the ESO given an opportunity for young colleagues to get a highly recognised certification. But in addition, as a stroke neurologist or stroke physician without being ESO Master of Stroke, we expect in general main work for stroke patients in daily clinical working activity. Usually, colleagues have additional activities by contributions to stroke research, quality work or other developmental work for local or regional or national stroke care.
Can you please clarify whether the European Stroke Organisation specify either a) the size of the therapy space on the stroke unit or b) the equipment contained within it from a Stroke Centre certification?
It is not necessary to measure the size of the stroke unit, or to list all equipment. But please answer the items in the application form as detailed as possible. For example ‘Neurosonology»: what kind of diagnostics are performed, by how many colleagues, where and with which types of ultrasound devices would give the International auditors good information about your activities in this field.
Do you have an example for an application?
Yes, thanks to the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland we have an example for an ESO Stroke Centre Application. To view the example, please click here.
Regarding Questions G7 - how should this be quantified?
Please provide your percentages of performed early testing of swallowing, early mobilisation and treatment for prevention of DVT. G7 does not need detailed information about who is doing what. It is natural that nursing staff also functions as additional staff for early swallowing tests and early mobilisation. In general, the application forms demand targeted answers on each item. The standard operating procedure about early physiotherapeutic evaluation would better fit at E3. The term “early” is not defined from our side, but it is natural that swallowing and early mobilisation are individually evaluated soon after admission to the stroke unit, as important information about the patient´s condition and complication risks.