Adena Continues to Strike Out Stroke
Adena Regional Medical Center’s Primary Stroke Center recently added to its list of accolades earning the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With the Guidelines®-Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award. The Award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive treatment that is based on nationally-recognized, research-based guidelines, which are based on the latest scientific evidence.
“We are dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get with the Guidelinesstroke initiative,” said Dr. Muhammad Akhtar, Adena Neurologist. “The tools and resources provided in the guidelines help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines that are intended to improve patient outcomes.”
To earn the award, hospitals must meet specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines in speeding recovery and reducing death and disability. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, have a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.
Additionally, Adena has received the Association’s Stroke Elite Award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific quality measures intended to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and administration of the clot-buster, tissue Plasminogen Activator, ortPA. This is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke, which is an obstruction within a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain.
“We are pleased to recognize Adena Regional Medical Center for its commitment to stroke care,” said Eric E. Smith, M.D., National Chairman of the Get with the Guidelinessteering committee. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get with the Guidelines quality improvement initiative often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”
For more information on Adena’s stroke program, visit adena.org/stroke.
STRIKE OUT STROKE
Join the Adena Stroke Team for Strike Out Stroke with the Chillicothe Paints on Saturday, July 21 at 7 p.m. at the VA Memorial Stadium; 17273 St. Rt. 104, Chillicothe.
fFamilies are invited for this fun and special evening benefiting the Adena Health Foundation Stroke Fund. Tickets can be purchased at the gate for only $6.