UK HealthCare Stroke Program Gains National Recognition for Superior Quality

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 10, 2012) — The UK HealthCare Kentucky Neuroscience Institute Stroke Program has once again been recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association with their "Get With The Guidelines" Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

The award recognizes UK HealthCare's commitment and success in implementing excellent, evidence-based care for stroke patients.

To receive the award, a hospital must achieve at least 85 percent adherence to all "Get With The Guidelines" stroke quality achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month intervals, and achieve 75 percent or higher compliance with at least six of 10 stroke quality measures. These measures include appropriate use of life-saving medications and lifestyle/behavior modifications, all aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients.

“With a stroke, time lost is brain lost," said Dr. Michael R. Dobbs, director of UK HealthCare’s Stroke Program. "The 'Get With The Guidelines' Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award demonstrates our commitment to being among the top health care providers in the country for aggressive, proven stroke care.  We actually do much better than the 85 percent adherence required for the award, which is probably part of the reason why we became the busiest stroke center in Kentucky. "

“UK HealthCare and the UK Stroke Program are to be commended for a commitment to implementing standards of care and protocols for treating stroke patients,” said Dr. Lee H. Schwamm, chair of the "Get With The Guidelines" national steering committee and stroke neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. “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.”

"Get With The Guidelines" emphasizes the “teachable moment” — the time soon after a stroke, when patients are most receptive to guidance from health care professionals. Studies demonstrate that patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a second heart attack or stroke.

Through "Get With The Guidelines," customized patient education materials are made available at the point of discharge, based on patients’ individual risk profiles. The take-away materials are written in an easy-to-understand format and are available in English and Spanish. In addition, the "Get With The Guidelines" patient management tool gives health care providers access to up-to-date cardiovascular and stroke science at the point of care.

Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and serious, long-term disability in the United States and in Kentucky.  

For more information, visit http://heart.org/quality.