Contact: Sherry Grindeland
425-899-1882 or slgrindeland@evergreenhealthcare.org
KIRKLAND, WA. − The Evergreen Stroke Program has received the American Stroke Association’s Bronze Performance Achievement Award. This award recognizes Evergreen Hospital’s success in implementing a high standard of care that ensures stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.
The award is given to hospitals participating in the American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines Stroke (GWTG) Program. Evergreen Hospital enrolled in October, 2008. The program guidelines include rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the Emergency Department and aggressive use of medications like tPA, antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol reducing drugs, and smoking cessation. Within the first 90 days of being enrolled, the hospital has continually reached an 85% compliance level.
“This award is a testament to the effort of our nurses, staff and physicians who continue to provide superior evidence-based care at the bedside,” said David Likosky, MD, Evergreen neurologist and Stroke Program Director. “To have received this award so soon after enrolling in the GWTG program is a great recognition of the work we are doing here.”
According to the American Stroke Association, approximately 795,000 people annually (one person every 40 seconds) suffer a stroke. Of those, 610,000 are first attacks and 185,000 are recurrent. Strokes account for 1 in 18 deaths in the United States.
Evergreen Hospital Medical Center has 275 beds and is the heart of Evergreen Healthcare that includes medical groups, home care, hospice and many other services and community health outreach programs. Since opening our doors in 1972, Evergreen’s patient and family-centered philosophy, combined with our commitment to advancing medical solutions, has enabled us to provide people with unsurpassed, whole care. Evergreen serves more than 400,000 residents throughout north King and south Snohomish counties. More than 800 physicians, representing over 50 specialties, provide clinical excellence in all major services including cardiac, oncology, surgery and maternity care at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center. For more information, visit www.evergreenhealthcare.org.