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BWH recently received the American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines Gold Performance Achievement Award for excellence in stroke care.
The award recognizes BWH’s demonstration of 85 percent adherence to the GWTG–Stroke key measures for 24 or more consecutive months. The measures include aggressive use of medications like tPA, antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol-reducing drugs and smoking cessation.
“During a stroke, time is of the utmost importance because time loss translates into brain loss. Achieving this award demonstrates how we have addressed the important element of time,” said Steven Feske, MD, director of the Stroke Division.
BWH’s Stroke Division developed a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the Emergency Department. BWH is always equipped to provide brain imaging scans with neurologists available to conduct patient evaluations and ready to use clot-busting medications when appropriate.
“BWH has an exceptional group of clinicians both in the neuroscience units and the Emergency Department who are absolutely committed to providing the best care possible for our stroke patients,” said Linda Bresette, NP, Stroke Program manager. “The Gold Award, the highest level of recognition awarded by the AHA/ASA, is a reflection of the compassion, talent and dedication of every physician, nurse, rehab professional and PCA who cares for these challenging patients.”
“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,” said Lee H. Schwamm, MD, national Get With The Guidelines steering committee member and director of acute stroke services at MGH.