Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Stroke is a serious medical emergency that requires swift and appropriate treatment.
In fact, a common phrase regarding stroke is time is brain, meaning that there are specific timeframes to receive treatment in order to speed recovery and reduce death and disability for stroke patients.
Each Lee Memorial Health System hospital has worked diligently to incorporate up-to-date, research-based protocols to ensure the fastest and most effective treatment for stroke patients. We are proud that each Lee Memorial Health System hospital was recognized for successfully implementing the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association Get With The Guidelines protocols.
Our hospitals also earned the Get With The Guidelines- Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, which is the result of meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients.
Additionally, Lee Memorial Hospital, Cape Coral Hospital and Gulf Coast Medical Center received the associations Target: Stroke Honor Roll for meeting stroke quality measures that reduce the time between hospital arrival and treatment with the clot-buster tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke. This treatment, for example, if given within three hours of the onset of symptoms can help patients recover quicker and they are less likely to suffer severe disability.
We are extremely proud of our hospitals commitment to the highest quality, most up-to-date, research-based stroke care. It takes dedication, teamwork and collaboration to implement new protocols and even more to mobilize and deliver this type of care. These recognitions and awards are well-deserved, and should instill a comfort and security in our community that the right care is here at the right time.
We appreciate all that our teams do every day and night on behalf of those we servethey truly are caring people, caring for people.
P.S. The American Stroke Association reminds us all to think F.A.S.T. when it comes to stroke:
F Face drooping. Does one side of the face droop or is it numb?
A Arm weakness. Is one arm weak or numb?
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Lee Memorial Health: Recognition swift effective stroke care