Cape Cod and Falmouth Hospitals have received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke quality achievement awards 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.
This year, Cape Cod Hospital received the Silver Plus Recognition and was named to the Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll and the Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite. Similarly, Falmouth Hospital received the Gold Plus Award and was named to the Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.
Stroke is the No. 5 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.
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 to be nationally recognized for our ongoing commitment to delivering quality and safe care to our community,” said Michael Lauf, President and CEO of Cape Cod Healthcare. “Continuous improvement in stroke treatment and achieving the highest-quality standards are among the many ways we demonstrate our commitment to providing exceptional patient care. The end goal is to ensure our patients on Cape Cod experience longer, healthier lives.”
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 Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital for their commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, MD, volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for healthcare systems, families and communities.”
To learn more about stroke prevention and awareness, visit https://www.capecodhealth.org
