Evangelical Community Hospital is Nationally Recognized for High Quality Stroke Care | News, Sports, Jobs

LEWISBURG — Evangelical Community Hospital has received the Get With the Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring that stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to recognized, research-based national guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability, according to a recent press release.

Evangelical has won the Association’s Gold Plus award for meeting specific quality measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a defined level for 24 consecutive months or more.

These measures include evaluating the appropriate use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the latest evidence-based guidelines with the goal of accelerating recovery and reducing deaths and injuries. disabilities in stroke patients.

Prior to discharge, patients receive training in health management and multidisciplinary follow-up visits are arranged.

Evangelical also received two additional accolades. The hospital received the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite award from the American Heart Association. To qualify for this recognition, Evangelical met specific criteria to reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment of ischemic stroke with anti-clot medications.

Additionally, he received an award associated with type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure that patients with type 2 diabetes, who may be at higher risk for complications, receive the latest, evidence-based care when ‘they are hospitalized due to a stroke.

“We are extremely pleased to recognize Evangelical Community Hospital for its commitment to caring for stroke patients,” said Dr. Steven Messe, Chair of the Stroke System Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With the Guidelines is associated with better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for healthcare systems, families and communities.”

“Stroke is one of the leading causes of severe long-term disability. Stroke can also reduce mobility in more than half of stroke survivors aged 65 and over, which is why it is extremely important for our hospital to maintain excellence in our stroke program,” Dr. Jessica Ahlum, neurologist and medical director of the Primary Stroke Center told Evangelical.

Ahlum continued, “Time wasted in stroke is brain waste and this award demonstrates the Hospital’s commitment to ensuring our patients receive care based on nationally respected clinical guidelines.” Our goal is always to diagnose stroke quickly and treat in a way that minimizes long-term effects.

Evangelical’s Primary Stroke Center was established in 2013 and is overseen by Tresa Keiser, RN, MSN, Primary Stroke Center Coordinator.

As a primary stroke center, Evangelical provides 24/7 patient-centered care, from hospitalization to rehabilitation services, including emergency medicine, laboratory, radiology, hospital and neurological care, as well as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot or bursts. When this happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early detection and treatment of strokes are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.