Sentara hospitals receive national recognition for stroke care quality
Eleven hospitals earn American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® awards for commitment to life-saving care
For the past eight years, Sentara Health has partnered with the American Heart Association (AHA) through the Get With The Guidelines® program, an initiative dedicated to improving patient outcomes by applying the latest evidence-based research, clinical guidelines, and performance measurement tools.
This year, 11 Sentara hospitals were recognized by the AHA for providing outstanding stroke care throughout Virginia and northeast North Carolina. Each hospital earned a Gold Plus award for sustained excellence in stroke care, consistently following the latest stroke treatment guidelines and achieving positive patient outcomes for two or more consecutive calendar years. In addition, Sentara Albemarle Medical Center received the Rural Stroke Silver award, recognizing rural hospitals that meet program standards for four consecutive quarters, or one full year. These awards aim to address disparities in healthcare outcomes, as rural populations face higher risks of stroke mortality and heart disease compared to urban populations.
The commendations are based on a range of performance measures, including timely treatment, stroke screening, patient education, and rehabilitation. These annual honors reflect Sentara's continued commitment to delivering exceptional stroke care.
| Hospital | Achievement & Quality Award | Target Stroke Honor Roll | Target: Type 2 Diabetes |
|---|---|---|---|
| undefinedSentara CarePlex Hospital | undefinedGold Plus | undefinedHonor Roll Elite | undefinedHonor Roll |
| undefinedSentara Leigh Hospital | undefinedGold Plus | undefinedHonor Roll Elite | undefinedHonor Roll |
| undefinedSentara Martha Jefferson Hospital | undefinedGold Plus | undefinedHonor Roll | undefinedHonor Roll |
| undefinedSentara Norfolk General Hospital | undefinedGold Plus | undefinedHonor Roll Elite Advanced Therapy | undefinedHonor Roll |
| undefinedSentara Northern Virginia Medical Center | undefinedGold Plus | undefinedHonor Roll Elite | undefinedHonor Roll |
| undefinedSentara Princess Anne Hospital | undefinedGold Plus | undefinedHonor Roll Elite Plus | undefinedHonor Roll |
| undefinedSentara Virginia Beach General Hospital | undefinedGold Plus | undefinedHonor Roll Elite | undefinedHonor Roll |
| undefinedSentara Albemarle Medical Center | undefinedRural Stroke Silver | undefinedHonor Roll Elite | undefinedHonor Roll |
| undefinedSentara RMH Medical Center | undefinedGold Plus | undefinedHonor Roll Elite | undefinedHonor Roll |
| undefinedSentara Obici Hospital | undefinedGold Plus | undefinedHonor Roll Elite Plus | undefinedHonor Roll |
| undefinedSentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center | undefinedGold Plus | undefinedHonor Roll Elite | undefinedHonor Roll |
“Excellence in stroke care is not the result of a single individual; it is a carefully coordinated, multidisciplinary effort,” said Alexander Grunsfeld, M.D., medical director of neurosciences and the Sentara stroke service line.
“From the moment pre-hospital alerts are received to the dedication of our bedside nurses and specialized clinical teams, everyone plays a vital role. These Get With The Guidelines® awards reflect the seamless integration and dedication of our entire team to giving every patient their absolute best chance at recovery.”
Sentara has used the Get With The Guidelines® registry since 2017. The interactive online platform enables hospitals to track performance, measure adherence to evidence-based stroke care, and identify opportunities to further enhance patient outcomes.
In addition to recognizing clinical excellence, the program aims to reduce gaps in care and address health disparities. Since its launch in 2003, the Get With The Guidelines® stroke program has helped improve care for more than 14 million patients worldwide. For Sentara, participation in the program remains an important part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen stroke care and improve outcomes for patients facing this life-threatening condition.
According to the American Heart Association, someone in the United States dies from a stroke every 3 minutes and 33 seconds. Sentara remains dedicated to helping change that statistic through evidence-based care, continuous quality improvement, and a steadfast commitment to clinical excellence.
As one of more than 2,800 hospitals nationwide participating in the Get With The Guidelines® stroke program, Sentara is proud to provide high-quality, science-based stroke care to every patient, every day.
By: Jen Lewis