Southeast Georgia Health System has received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With
The Guidelines® - Stroke 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 contributor of disability
in the United States. 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.
“Southeast Georgia Health System is committed to improving patient
care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said
Cynthia Gahm, R.N., stroke coordinator. “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 the Golden Isles can experience longer, healthier
lives.”
Each year, program participants, like the Health System, 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 Southeast Georgia Health
System for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said
Steven Messe, M.D., chairperson of the 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.”
The Health System also received the American Heart Association’s
Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite award. To qualify for this recognition,
hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an
eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the
clot-buster alteplase.
In addition, the Health System 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.
To learn more about the Health System’s Stroke Program, visit
sghs.org/stroke.