Kaiser Permanente Riverside and Moreno Valley Medical Centers have been nationally honored for their high-quality stroke care, receiving the prestigious American Heart Association’s 2023 Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus award with Target: Stroke? Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes? Honor Roll. These awards recognize their unwavering commitment to implementing high-quality care for stroke patients, following nationally recognized guidelines and ultimately leading to improved outcomes and saved lives.
To achieve this recognition, Kaiser Permanente had to meet stringent quality measures for diagnosing and treating stroke patients consistently over a designated period. Stroke, being the fifth leading cause of death and a major cause of disability in the United States, requires swift detection and treatment to minimize damage and enhance recovery.
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.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to helping our patients have the best possible chance of survival and recovery after stroke,” said Sammy Totah, senior vice president and area manager at Kaiser Permanente Riverside.
Get With The Guidelines®, developed by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, supports hospitals nationwide in aligning patient care with the latest evidence-based guidelines. The Get With The Guidelines®- Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus program specifically focuses on improving in-hospital stroke care by promoting adherence to these guidelines, which can significantly reduce the long-term effects of a stroke and prevent fatalities.
"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 the community can experience longer, healthier lives,” added Michael Neri, MD, area medical director at Kaiser Permanente Riverside.
The achievements of Kaiser Permanente Riverside and Moreno Valley Medical Centers in stroke care not only validate their commitment to excellence but also serve as an inspiration for other healthcare institutions to strive for the highest standards in stroke treatment, ultimately improving the lives of stroke patients nationwide.