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When you are experiencing a stroke, every minute matters. Fast, effective treatment can prevent serious disability or save your life. That's why Iredell Memorial Hospital is proud to receive the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines^® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital's commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

Iredell Memorial Hospital earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date guidelines, with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability. Before discharge, patients also receive education on managing their health and get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

"Iredell Memorial Hospital is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the American Heart Association's Get with the Guidelines-Stroke initiative," said Celeste Stevens, BSN, RN, and Cardiovascular Clinician at Iredell Memorial Hospital. "The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes."

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. North Carolina is one of 10 states with the highest rates of stroke death in the nation.

"We are pleased to recognize Iredell Memorial Hospital for their commitment to stroke care," said Eric E. Smith, MD, national chairman of the Get with the Guidelines Steering Committee and an associate professor of neurology at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. "Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get with the Guidelines quality improvement initiative can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates."

The symptoms of a stroke begin suddenly and can include facial drooping, arm weakness and slurred speech. It may also feel like you are having the worst headache of your life. If you think you or someone you know is experiencing a stroke, call 911 immediately. Visit Iredellhealth.org/stroke for more information on stroke care and prevention.