The Backus Hospital Stroke Center recently received the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines–Stroke Silver Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes that stroke patients receive treatment at Backus according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.
“This recognition is significant because in a relatively short period of time, it shows that Backus has been able to incorporate national guidelines for stroke care across the continuum,” said Anthony Alessi, MD, neurologist and Medical Director of the Backus Stroke Center. “There are so many facets of care involved in this recognition, it’s a huge accomplishment. All of this equates to a better quality of care for patients with stroke.”
To receive the Get With The Guidelines- Stroke Silver Quality Achievement Award, Backus consistently complied for at least one year with the requirements in the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program. This twelvemonth evaluation period is the second in an ongoing self-evaluation by the hospital to continually reach the 85% compliance level needed to sustain this award.
“The American Stroke Association commends Backus Hospital for its success in implementing standards of care and protocols,” said Lee H. Schwamm, MD, Chair of the Get With The Guidelines National Steering Committee and Director of the TeleStroke and Acute Stroke Services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “The full implementation of acute care and secondary prevention recommendations and guidelines is a critical step in saving the lives and improving outcomes of stroke patients.”
“By not only putting into a place a Primary Stroke Center, but continuing the program at the high level reflected in this national award, Backus Hospital provides the community with a level of expertise that saves lives and improves the quality of life for stroke survivors and their families” said Cindy Arpin, RN, BSN, Stroke Project Coordinator. “Patients treated in designated stroke units are more likely to survive, and be independent and living at home within one year of their stroke.”
“The clinical staff and multidisciplinary team of the stroke center work diligently to provide quality patient care,” said Karen Butterworth, RN, Clinical Director of the A-3 unit where stroke patients are admitted. “It is a great honor to be recognized for our partnership with stroke patients and their families. We take great pride in our ability to care for this special population.”
Get With The Guidelines–Stroke uses the “teachable moment,” the time soon after a patient has had a stroke when they are most likely to listen to and follow their healthcare professionals’ guidance. Studies demonstrate that patients who are taught how to manage risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a second heart attack or stroke. Through Get With The Guidelines–Stroke, customized patient education materials are made available at the point of discharge, based on patients’ individual risk profiles.