Lower Keys Medical Center Earns National Recognition for Efforts to Improve Stroke Treatment

8/30/2021

The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines - Stroke - Silver Plus award for commitment to prioritizing quality care for stroke patients.

Lower Keys Medical Center has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s “Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll”. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the best treatment according to nationally-recognized, research-based guidelines.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the U.S. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and speeding recovery times.

Get With The Guidelines-Stroke was developed to assist healthcare professionals to provide the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines for treating stroke patients.

“Lower Keys Medical Center is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to helping our patients have the best possible chance of survival during and after a stroke,” said David Clay, CEO. “Get With The Guidelines-Stroke makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis to improve outcomes for stroke patients.”

Each year program participants apply for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, participants also provide education to patients to help them manage their health and rehabilitation once at home.

“We are pleased to recognize Lower Keys Medical Center for their commitment to stroke care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement initiative can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”

Lower Keys Medical Center is also accredited by the American Heart Association/The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center, featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.

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