St. Joseph’s Health Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.
Stroke is the fifth cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.
“St. Joseph’s Health Hospital is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Meredith A. Price, senior vice president, acute operations at St. Joseph’s Health. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in Syracuse can experience longer, healthier lives.”
“Our team is dedicated to enhancing and maintaining the highest quality of care while rigorously following the latest treatment guidelines,” said physician Fahed Saada, stroke program director and section chief of neurology at St. Joseph’s Health. “We are committed to providing evidence-based care to every patient, every time. The Get With The Guidelines program has been crucial in helping us achieve this goal.”
Additionally, St. Joseph’s Health Hospital announced that it had received re certification from DNV as a primary stroke center. The DNV Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association and affirms that the medical center addresses the full spectrum of stroke care — diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education – and establishes clear metrics to evaluate outcomes.