Northwest Texas Healthcare System Receives National Recognition for its Stroke Program
Northwest Texas Healthcare System has received the American Heart Association® Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus, Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll 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 No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. 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.
Advanced Primary Stroke Center
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.
"Northwest Texas Healthcare System is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Ryan Chandler, CEO. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in the Texas Panhandle and surrounding communities can experience longer, healthier lives.”
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 Northwest Texas Healthcare System for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said 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 health care systems, families and communities.”
Northwest Texas Healthcare System also received the American Heart Association Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, which aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
Northwest Texas Healthcare System is also an Advanced Primary Stroke Center as designated by The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark. This shows that we have thoroughly demonstrated the greatest level of commitment to the care of stroke patients and that we adhere to a very specific set of treatment guidelines when treating all patients experiencing a stroke or stroke-type symptoms.