TOLEDO (July 18, 2024) – Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center has been recognized with the 2024 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke GoldPlus quality achievement award.
The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines - Stroke GoldPlus award is the highest level of recognition, given to those facilities who have proven dedication to ensuring all stroke patients have access to best practices and life-saving care.
“St. Vincent is committed to providing the highest quality patient care by providing the most current and technologically advanced treatments,” said Jeff Dempsey, president, Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center. “We are grateful that our teams have been recognized for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.”
Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.
Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.
“The team at Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center continues to provide the community with the most advanced stroke care and treatment options,” said Dr. Sam Zaidat, neuroendovascular surgeon, Chair of the Department of Neuroscience, and Stroke Medical Director for Mercy Health — St. Vincent Medical Center. “Mercy Health’s success in providing nationally recognized stroke care continues to be the result of everyone involved, from those in the field, 911 dispatchers, and EMS providers, to the emergency department team, angiography teams, nurses, neuro critical care team, and post stroke rehabilitation.”
Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.
Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center also has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers.