East Alabama Medical Center earns national recognition for providing high-quality stroke care
July 10, 2023
OPELIKA, Ala.—East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) has received the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Silver Plus quality achievement award. The hospital received this honor for its 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.
“Preventing fatal stroke cases in our community by providing excellent care and post-care resources is a mission our organization takes very seriously,” said Laura Grill, president and CEO of East Alabama Health. “We are dedicated to providing the best care possible to our patients, and we always look to uphold the highest standards regarding the manner in which care is provided.”
Stroke is the fifth largest cause of death, and a leading cause of disability, in the United States. Early 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.
EAMC qualified for the award by demonstrating how the organization is committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, EAMC, as a Get With The Guidelines participant, educates patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize East Alabama Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chairperson of the AHA Stroke System of Care Advisory Group, and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”
In addition to the quality achievement award, EAMC also received the AHA’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award and Target: Stroke Honor Roll award.
The Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
To qualify for the Target: Stroke Honor Roll award, EAMC had to meet specific criteria that reduces the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with clot-buster alteplase.
“These accolades validate our commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate healthcare to our patients,” Grill said. “We will continue to work toward reducing stoke cases from resulting in fatalities or significant impairment.”
