UPMC聽Washington聽receives national recognition for stroke care
UPMC Washington has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for providing evidence-based stroke care for the 17th consecutive year.
Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming over 160,000 lives annually, and it remains a leading cause of long-term adult disability, with approximately 795,000 new or recurring strokes occurring each year, according to the American Heart Association.
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked by a clot or ruptures, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching brain tissue and causing brain cells to die.
Early detection and rapid treatment are critical to improve survival, minimize long-term effects and support faster recovery.
Get With The Guidelines – Stroke, from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, is an in-hospital program designed to improve stroke care through consistent adherence to the program’s guidelines, which can minimize long-term effects of stroke and help prevent death.
“This recognition — for 17 consecutive years — is a testament to the dedication, expertise and compassion of our stroke team,” said UPMC Washington President Brook Ward. “Every day, our physicians, nurses, emergency responders, therapists and support staff work together to provide life-saving care close to home for patients across our region. These awards reflect what matters most: helping our neighbors receive the highest quality stroke care when every second counts. We are incredibly proud of our team and grateful for their unwavering commitment to the patients and communities we serve.”
Each year, participating hospitals qualify for the award by demonstrating how their hospital has committed to providing quality stroke care. In addition to following clinical treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also provide education to help people manage their recovery and ongoing health at home.
“We are proud to recognize UPMC Washington for its commitment to caring for people experiencing stroke,” said Dr. Steven Messe, 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, including greater likelihood of being discharged home, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a meaningful benefit for health care systems, families and communities.”
UPMC Washington also received the American Heart Association’s Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Advanced Therapy award by meeting criteria that reduces the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke.