Roger Williams recognized as Stroke Center
November 11, 2009
November 12, 2009 Roger Williams Medical Center has been recognized as a Stroke Center through its successful participation in the American Heart Association’s “Get With The Guidelines” program.
"Get With The Guidelines" is a hospital-based, quality-improvement program designed to ensure that hospitals consistently care for cardiac and stroke patients following the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations from The American Heart Association and The American Stroke Association. The program addresses coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke. Currently more than 1,450 hospitals participate in the "Get With The Guidelines" program.
“By complying with the “Get With The Guidelines” program, our caregivers are combining the latest evidence-based guidelines with immediate access to clinical support to ensure the best possible care,” said Elaine Jones, MD, who was the physician champion behind the Stroke Center designation.
The stroke team consists of Dr. Oscar Bernal, Ruth Scott RN, Karen Bissonnette RN, Theresa Ferretti RN, Candace Wray RN, Terri Petteruti RN, Sherry Jenard RN, Mary Small RN, and Nancy Fogarty.
"I commend the team for working hard to achieve this designation," said Kenneth H. Belcher, President and CEO of Roger Williams. "It is a significant achievement that will further help us provide the best quality care to the community."
“Get With the Guidelines (GWTG) helps ensure that patients treated and discharged receive quality care in accordance with guidelines that will reduce the risk of secondary events. It takes advantage of the “teachable moment,” the time soon after a heart attack or stroke, when patients are most likely to listen to their healthcare professionals’ treatment recommendations. Studies demonstrate that patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a second heart attack or stroke.
According to GWTG treatment guidelines, patients are started on aggressive risk reduction therapies such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, aspirin, diuretics and anticoagulants in the hospital, or in the case of stroke, they may receive tPA, antithrombotics and DVT prophylaxis. They also receive alcohol/drug use and thyroid management counseling as well as referrals for cardiac rehabilitation before being discharged.
According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, each year approximately 300,000 people suffer a recurrent heart attack, 5.2 million people suffer from heart failure and 700,000 people suffer a stroke.