HCA Florida Capital Hospital Nationally Recognized for High-Quality Stroke Care

HCA Florida Capital Hospital announced that it has been nationally recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the latest available and most appropriate treatment, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

The Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Silver Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award recognizes the care team's dedication and commitment to high quality care, including ensuring patients with Type 2 diabetes who might be at higher risk for complications receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

"HCA Florida Capital Hospital is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines," said, Chris Mosley, CEO of HCA Florida Capital Hospital. "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. The end goal is to ensure more people in the Big Bend region can experience longer, healthier lives."

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. 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 happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. 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.

"We are incredibly pleased to recognize HCA Florida Capital Hospital for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke," said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. "Participation in Get With The Guidelines® is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates - a win for health care systems, families and communities."

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines® participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.