The Gold Plus Get with the Guidelines-Stroke Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association (AHA) recognizes hospitals that go above and beyond to adhere to nationally recognized, research-based standards. This high level of care leads to more lives saved and reduces disability. 
 

A higher level of care for local patients

A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted either because the blood supply is being blocked or there’s bleeding in the brain — and it’s serious.

“Community Health System is committed to improving patient care using the latest treatment guidelines,” said Dr. Sea Mi Park, stroke medical director, Community Regional. “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 achieve the best outcome. The end goal is for more people in the Central Valley to experience longer, healthier lives.”

Community Regional also received AHA’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria to reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with alteplase, an IV drug administered to stroke victims to dissolve blood clots that block blood flow to the brain.  
 

Stroke experts for the Central Valley

Community Regional is the first hospital in the Valley to be certified as a Primary Stroke Center, earning the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission. To achieve this certification, hospitals must have:
 

• An acute stroke team available 24/7

• Neurologists that are accessible 24/7 via in-person or telemedicine

• Designated stroke beds

• Sufficient diagnostic services

• Ability to provide IV thrombolytics to break up or dissolve blood clots

• Tracking, monitoring and reporting of performance measures

Program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Community Regional for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., chairperson of the AHA’s 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 healthcare systems, families and communities.”
 

Stroke is a leading cause of death in the U.S.

Each year, roughly 700,000 Americans experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation’s fifth leading cause of death. That’s an average of one stroke every 45 seconds, and one stroke-related death every 3.1 minutes.

If you think you or someone you know is having a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.