Holy Cross Hospital Stroke Program Awarded the American Heart Association's Gold Plus Award 2014
March 25, 2014Tags: 2014
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Pictured left to right: Celia Guarino, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Holy Cross Health; Sharon Harriston, RN, MS, ACNP, CCNS, nurse practitioner, Neuroscience, Holy Cross Hospital; Judith Rogers, president, Holy Cross Hospital; Keith Everett, KTE, vice president, Quality & Systems Improvement, Mid Atlantic Affiliate, American Heart Association; Cris Carr, director, Process Improvement, Holy Cross Hospital; and Shahid Rafiq, MD, medical director, Neurology and Stroke, Holy Cross Hospital. |
The Holy Cross Hospital Stroke Program was awarded the American Heart Association's Gold Plus Award. The Gold Plus Award is an advanced level of recognition within the Get With The Guidelines® Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) Program that acknowledges Holy Cross Hospital has reached and maintained an exceptional goal of treating patients who suffer from stroke according to the guidelines of care recommended by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Holy Cross Hospital has received this award every year since 2010.
On Feb. 26, 2014, Keith Everett, KTE, vice president, Quality & Systems Improvement, Mid Atlantic Affiliate, American Heart Association, presented the award to Judith Rogers, president, Holy Cross Hospital; Shahid Rafiq, MD, medical director, Neurology and Stroke; Celia Guarino, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Holy Cross Health; Sharon Harriston, RN, MS, ACNP, CCNS, nurse practitioner, Neuroscience; and Cris Carr, director, Process Improvement.
"The care our patients receive at Holy Cross Hospital is our number one priority," said Judith Rogers, president, Holy Cross Hospital. "That’s why we’re proud to be among the hospitals recently recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for our excellence in implementing the Get With The Guidelines program.
GWTG-Stroke offers six levels of hospital recognition. The Gold Plus Quality Award is the highest level award recognizing performance of 24 consecutive months or more.
"Our greatest reward is serving our patients," Sharon Harriston, RN, MS, ACNP, CCNS, nurse practitioner, Neuroscience. "That’s why we’re committed to turning treatment guidelines into lifelines."
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recognize hospitals for their success in using Get With The Guidelines to improve quality of care for stroke patients. Holy Cross Hospital is listed as a Recognized Hospital for the Gold Plus designation on the American Heart Association's website, www.heart.org.
"I want to congratulate all of our physicians, nurses and quality improvement professionals for their commitment to excellent care," said Rogers.
In addition to the American Heart Association's Gold Plus Award, Holy Cross Hospital is a designated Advanced Primary Stroke Center by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems and by The Joint Commission, the national credentialing organization for hospitals. Holy Cross Hospital was also ranked as high performing in neurology for 2013-14 by U.S. News & World Report.
Recognizing the Signs of a Stroke
It is important to recognize the signs and get immediate medical attention. Speedy stroke diagnosis and treatment can help dramatically improve recovery from strokes, including a TIA (transient ischemic attack) or mini-stroke.
The Five Major Warning Signs of Stroke are:
- Numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding.
- Trouble seeing with one or both eyes.
- Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
- Severe, sudden onset of headache with no known cause.