Mercy Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award, along with the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite distinction.
“The award recognizes Mercy’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality stroke care using the latest research-based treatment guidelines,” a release stated.
Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. On average, one person suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, according to the American Heart Association. Early detection and timely treatment are key to improving survival and minimizing long-term impacts.
The Get With The Guidelines – Stroke program is designed to help hospitals adhere to up-to-date clinical protocols to improve outcomes for stroke patients. Hospitals qualify for awards by consistently meeting performance benchmarks tied to stroke care quality.
“Mercy is proud to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to stroke care,” said Dr. Brian Doherty, medical director of Mercy’s stroke program. “This award reflects the hard work and collaboration of our stroke team to ensure patients receive the best possible care.”
In addition to meeting clinical benchmarks, Mercy offers stroke education and post-discharge support to help patients manage their health. The Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite distinction recognizes Mercy’s success in meeting specific guidelines that shorten the time between a patient’s arrival at the hospital and the administration of clot-busting medication – a key factor in reducing stroke-related disability, the release stated.
