Archbold Memorial is Nationally Recognized for its Commitment to Providing High-Quality Stroke Care
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The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Silver Plus award for proven dedication to ensuring all stroke patients have access to best practices and life-saving care.
Archbold has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Silver 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.
The award follows Archbold Memorial’s recognition as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, in partnership with the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.
Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. 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.
Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.
“We are proud that our team at Archbold Memorial is being recognized for the important work we do every day to improve the lives of people in Southwest Georgia who are affected by stroke, giving them the best possible chance of recovery and survival,” said Brian Dawson, MD, Archbold Memorial Stroke Director and Neurologist. “This recognition for our stroke program is yet another testament to Archbold’s long-standing commitment to the communities we serve. What I love most about practicing medicine here is that everyone truly believes in our mission-and you can see that dedication reflected in their actions every single day.”
Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Archbold Memorial for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”
Additionally, for efforts to optimize stroke care and eliminate rural health care outcome disparities, Archbold Memorial received the American Heart Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Rural Recognition Bronze award.
Archbold Memorial also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
About Get With The Guidelines®
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 14 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.