Knox Community Hospital recently received the American Heart Association’s "Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Silver" quality achievement award for high-quality care of patients suffering strokes, a recent hospital press release said.
"It is an absolute privilege to be a part of the Stroke Team at Knox Community Hospital," Amanda Wells, Stroke Program Coordinator, said in the press release. "All of the departments that work with the stroke patients have put forth extreme efforts to build a strong program that delivers the needs of the acute stroke patient."
"Knox Community Hospital’s stroke response team has worked diligently to create an efficient, rapid care process for those presenting with acute stroke symptoms."
"We are incredibly pleased to recognize Knox Community Hospital for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke," said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships in 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.”
Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S., the press release said. 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, including Knox Community Hospital, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines, the Knox press release said. Get With The Guidelines-Stroke is an in-hospital program to improve stroke care by promoting adherence to the guidelines.
