WCH nationally recognized for stroke care
Wooster Community Hospital recently received an award from the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines — Stroke Gold Plus program for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment.
Wooster Community Hospital Health System has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines — Stroke Gold Plus 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.
“WCH is the only Certified Primary Stroke Center in Wayne, Holmes and Ashland counties," said Amelia Welsh, RN, CCRN, critical care/stroke coordinator. "We are especially proud of this certification, as it allows us to treat most stroke patients in our community, close to home. We’re committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines.
“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 Wayne and surrounding counties 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.
WCH also received the American Heart Association’s Target: StrokeSM Elite Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster Alteplase or Tenecteplase.
Additionally, WCH received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award. Individuals with type 2 diabetes may be at higher risk for complications and receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.