Seventeen Aspirus Health hospitals have earned national recognition from the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke quality achievement program for delivering high-quality, evidence-based stroke care. The recognition reflects Aspirus Health's commitment to providing timely, guideline-directed stroke treatment across the communities it serves in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota.
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability and one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Because every minute counts, hospitals participating in the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines® program are measured on their ability to deliver rapid, evidence-based care that improves survival, reduces disability and gives patients the best possible chance for recovery.
"This recognition reflects the outstanding work happening every day across our health system," said Lisa Ebert, Aspirus System Stroke Coordinator. "Providing exceptional stroke care takes coordination, expertise and an unwavering commitment to quality. These awards recognize the dedication of our physicians, nurses, emergency teams, therapists and countless other caregivers who work together to ensure patients receive the highest standard of care when they need it most."
The following Aspirus hospitals received American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® awards:
- Aspirus Wausau Hospital – Stroke Gold Plus, Target: Stroke Honor Roll, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Aspirus Medford Hospital – Stroke Gold Plus, Rural Stroke Gold, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Aspirus Langlade Hospital – Stroke Gold Plus, Rural Stroke Gold, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Aspirus St. Luke's Hospital – Stroke Gold Plus, Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Aspirus Eagle River Hospital – Stroke Gold, Rural Stroke Gold
- Aspirus Iron River Hospital – Rural Stroke Silver
- Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital – Rural Stroke Bronze
- Aspirus Wisconsin Rapids Hospital – Stroke Silver Plus, Rural Stroke Gold, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital – Stroke Gold, Rural Stroke Silver, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital – Stroke Silver Plus, Rural Stroke Silver, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Aspirus Stanley Hospital – Stroke Silver Plus, Rural Stroke Silver
- Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital – Stroke Silver Plus, Rural Stroke Silver, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Aspirus Merrill Hospital – Stroke Silver Plus, Rural Stroke Silver
- Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital – Rural Stroke Silver
- Aspirus Lakeview Hospital – Rural Stroke Silver
- Howard Young Medical Center – Stroke Silver Plus, Rural Stroke Silver, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, Rural STEMI Gold
- Aspirus Ironwood Hospital – Rural Stroke Silver
Ebert encourages everyone to know the warning signs of stroke by remembering the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T.: Balance changes, Eyes or sudden vision loss, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to call 911. She notes that for every minute a large blood vessel stroke goes untreated, the brain loses an estimated 1.9 million neurons, making immediate medical attention critical. Calling 911 also allows emergency responders to alert the hospital so stroke teams and imaging services are ready when the patient arrives.
Ebert also emphasized that patients experiencing stroke symptoms should seek care at the nearest Aspirus emergency department, including rural hospitals. Every Aspirus hospital recognized this year provides the same high standard of initial stroke care, including rapid evaluation, CT imaging and access to teleneurology, allowing patients to be evaluated by a neurologist within minutes when needed.
The American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke program recognizes hospitals that demonstrate a sustained commitment to delivering evidence-based stroke care through continuous quality improvement. By consistently meeting nationally recognized performance measures, participating hospitals help ensure stroke patients receive timely, guideline-directed treatment that improves outcomes.
To learn more about stroke care at Aspirus, including the signs and symptoms of stroke, risk factors and available treatment options, visit www.aspirus.org/stroke-care.