The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus award for commitment to prioritizing quality care for stroke patients.

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center 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.

Also, Hutchinson Regional was honored as a TARGET: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll for the hospital’s efforts 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 as a result of a stroke.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the nation. 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 occurs, a part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs resulting in the death of cells. 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.

Dr. Nick Baldetti, Chief Quality Officer for Hutchinson Regional said the hospital is 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,” Baldetti said. “The end goal is to ensure more people in Hutchinson can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Ken Johnson, President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said the American Heart Association’s Gold/Plus Award is a distinction every healthcare organization in the nation aspires to achieve. “Hutchinson Regional is no stranger to achieving this national designation which is a testament to the hard work and compassionate care provided by competent and well-trained staff,” Johnson said.