Hamilton Medical Center recognized for applying scientific guidelines to stroke care

Published 12:02 am Friday, January 19, 2018

Hamilton Medical Center (HMC) has earned a place in the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s roster of hospitals recognized for achievement in the Get With the Guidelines-Stroke health care quality program. The list of award-winning hospitals appears in a congratulatory ad in the 2017 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” issue. HMC is a Gold Plus Elite level award winner in stroke care.

Get With the Guidelines-Stroke was developed by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to help health care professionals align stroke care with the most up-to-date scientific treatment guidelines. Stroke treatment guidelines include aggressive therapies and medications that can help improve patient care and outcomes. Hospitals must follow these measures at a set level for a designated period of time to be eligible for achievement awards.

HMC was also included on the Target: Stroke Honor Roll for ensuring that at least 50 percent of eligible stroke patients get treatment to restore blood flow to the brain within 60 minutes of arriving at the hospital — timing considered critical to limiting stroke damage.

“Immediate and advanced treatment is necessary when a stoke is suspected,” said Robin Green, director of Clinical Development Services at HMC. “Receiving the right care at the right time can make the difference in the outcome for the patient. This Get With the Guideline Gold Plus Elite designation is yet another validation of the high quality and superior care provided by Hamilton Medical Center, and we are very honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association.”

HMC’s Stroke Team is made up of professionals from neurology, nursing, clinical education, clinical quality, critical care, laboratory, Emergency Medical Services, imaging, physical therapy, occupational therapy and social work.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With the Guidelines offers a suite of hospital-based quality programs addressing a spectrum of cardiovascular conditions and stroke. Numerous published scientific studies demonstrate that adherence to Get With the Guidelines quality measures can lead to better patient outcomes, including increased survival.