Western Reserve Hospital has received the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke GOLD PLUS Achievement Award with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Awards. 

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke or heart attack, and heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively. Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.

This Gold Plus distinction recognizes our commitment to providing proper treatment for stroke patients according to nationally-recognized, research-based guidelines. To qualify for the Stroke Honor Roll, Western Reserve Hospital had to meet specific criteria that reduces the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster alteplase. 

Additionally, Western Reserve Hospital was recognized with placement on the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. To qualify for the Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, hospitals must meet quality measures aimed at ensuring that 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.

“We are pleased to recognize Western Reserve Hospital for its commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said John Warner, M.D., FAHA, past president of the American Heart Association and CEO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “Hospitals that follow the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols often see improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

The hospital was identified as meeting specific criteria that improves medication adherence, provides early follow-up care and coordination and enhances patient education. The end goal is to help patients improve their quality of life while managing chronic conditions.

“Western Reserve Hospital is committed to improving care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks and strokes,” said Dr. Robert Kent, President and CEO. “The Mission: Lifeline and Get With The Guidelines programs make it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which helps us ensure more people in our region experience longer, healthier lives.” 

This recognition is important to the communities we serve as research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement initiatives result in fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.