Four Orlando Health Hospitals Recognized by American Heart Association for Stroke Care
Orlando, FL (September 21, 2020) – Orlando Health South Lake Hospital, Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital, Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center have received the American Heart Association’s Get with the Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for providing quality stroke care.
Every year, approximately 800,000 people experience a stroke according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The American Heart Association’s designation recognizes hospitals that go above and beyond in their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence and research. Each of the four hospitals earned this award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients in a timely manner. These measures help to improve outcomes and patient care.
“Our hospitals are dedicated to providing the highest quality stroke care possible,” said Marshall Cress, MD, one of two medical directors for Orlando Health’s stroke program. “When it comes to stroke, time is brain. This award recognizes our continued commitment to identifying and treating patients quicker so that there is a better chance for the best possible outcome.”
Evaluation measures for the achievement include proper use of medication and other stroke treatments that align with the most current evidence-based guidelines. Hospitals who are recognized are also required to provide patients with education about their health, schedule a follow-up visit and provide additional care transition interventions. The implementation of follow-up care helps patients to successfully manage their health after they’ve left the hospital.
Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center also received the Association’s Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll. Hospitals that qualify for this recognition must meet an additional set of quality measures designed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and the administration of Alteplase, a drug that reduces the risk of long-term damage by dissolving blood clots that block blood flow to areas of the brain impacted by stroke. The clot-busting drug is the only one approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke. Timely use of this treatment is critical in order to minimize the possible long-term effects of strokes in patients.
About Orlando Health
Orlando Health is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with $5.6 billion of assets under management. The system spans nine Florida counties with nearly 450 locations that include 13 wholly-owned or affiliated hospitals and emergency departments; rehabilitation services, cancer centers, heart institutes, imaging and laboratory services, wound care centers, more than 300 physician offices for adults and pediatrics, and 11 urgent care centers in partnership with CareSpot Urgent Care. In FY18, Orlando Health served approximately 167,000 inpatients, more than 2.7 million outpatients, and more than 20,000 international patients. The organization is home to the area’s only Level One Trauma Centers for adults and pediatrics, and is a statutory teaching hospital system that offers both specialty and community hospitals. More than 3,100 physicians have privileges across the system, which is also one of the area’s largest employers with nearly 20,500 employees. Additionally, Orlando Health provides more than $620 million in total value to the community in the form of charity care, community benefit programs and services, community building activities and more. Additional information can be found at http://www.orlandohealth.com.
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