Northwest Hospital nationally recognized for its commitment to providing high-quality stroke care
Randallstown, Md. "“ (June 29, 2022) "” Northwest Hospital has received the American Heart Association's Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines®"“ Stroke 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 United States. 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.
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.
"At Northwest Hospital, we are proud to Care Bravely for patients in all aspects of their care, and this award demonstrates our team's excellence in treating patients who experience a stroke by ensuring they receive not only the highest quality of care, but care based on the latest stroke treatment guidelines," says Craig Carmichael, president of Northwest Hospital.
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 Hospital for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke," says Steven Messe, M.D., 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 Hospital also received the American Heart Association's Target: StrokeSM 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.
Additionally, Northwest Hospital also received the American Heart Association's Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes 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 Hospital also met specific scientific guidelines as a Primary Stroke Center featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.
About Northwest Hospital
Northwest Hospital is proud to have served the Greater Baltimore, Carroll County and Howard County communities for more than 50 years. With private rooms and an impressive array of specialties, the hospital provides the highest quality patient-centric care, including comprehensive services and programs such as minimally invasive robotic, bariatric and orthopedic surgery. For more information, visit https://www.lifebridgehealth.org/Northwest
Named a Best Nursing Home for Short-Term Rehabilitation for 3 years by U.S. News & World Report
About Get With The Guidelines®
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with tools and resources to increase adherence to the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 9 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org/quality.