BWFH nationally recognized for its commitment to providing high-quality stroke care

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Silver quality achievement award 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.

Stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. 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.

“Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines. We are lucky to have a very engaged Stroke Committee that is dedicated to looking at our data on a monthly basis. The committee asks questions and will take a closer look at cases where we have failed the measure. I believe this concentrated effort and engagement by all members of the Stroke Committee has helped us earn the Silver Award. The Stroke Committee is excited about this award and looks forward to continuing to sustain and improve our performance in 2022 so that we can earn the Gold Award next year, which will recognize 24 months of high performance across key stroke measures,” says Caitlin Manca, MPH, Director of Hospital Quality. 

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.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” says Steven Messe, MD, Chairperson of the 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.”

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About Get With The Guidelines^®

Get With The Guidelines^® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 12 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

Published 7/13/22