BANGOR — Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke GOLD quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring people experiencing stroke receive timely, appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately helping to save lives and reduce disability.
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is blocked by a clot or ruptures, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching brain tissue. When this happens, brain cells begin to die. Early detection and rapid treatment are critical to improving survival, minimizing disability and supporting faster recovery.
Get With The Guidelines brings the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association into hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest stroke research and evidence-based guidelines. The program is designed to improve stroke care through consistent adherence to guidelines, which can minimize long-term effects of stroke and help prevent death.
“Our Primary Stroke Center is deeply committed to providing the highest quality patient care by following the latest evidence-based treatment guidelines,” Ava Collins, MHA, FACHE, president, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, said. “Through our participation in the ‘Get With The Guidelines’ program, our teams are able to translate proven science into compassionate, everyday practice. Research shows this approach can lead to better recovery and improved outcomes to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.”
Each year, participating hospitals qualify for the recognition by demonstrating a commitment to providing quality stroke care. In addition to following clinical treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also provide stroke education to help people manage their recovery and ongoing health at home.
“We are proud to recognize Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center Primary Stroke Center for its commitment to caring for people experiencing stroke,” Steven Messe, MD, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group, said. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, including greater likelihood of being discharged home, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates, a meaningful benefit for health care systems, families and communities.”