Shore Medical Center has been awarded the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award. This recognition is for the hospital’s dedication to providing stroke patients with treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. The initiative aims to save lives and reduce disability.
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a major cause of disability in the United States. It occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked or bursts, leading to brain cell death due to lack of oxygen. Early detection and treatment are crucial for survival, reducing disability, and speeding up recovery.
The Get With The Guidelines program helps hospitals nationwide ensure patient care aligns with current research- and evidence-based guidelines. It promotes adherence to these guidelines, which can lessen the long-term effects of strokes and prevent fatalities.
“Shore Medical Center is dedicated to advancing the quality of patient care by staying aligned with the most up-to-date clinical guidelines,” said Valerie DeJoseph, Administrative Director of Quality, Medical Staff Services & Regulatory at Shore Medical Center. “The Get With The Guidelines program empowers our care teams to consistently apply evidence-based practices, which have been shown to support better patient recovery. Our ultimate goal is to help more residents of South Jersey lead longer, healthier lives.”
Hospitals participating in this program qualify for awards by demonstrating their commitment to quality stroke care. Besides following treatment protocols, they also educate patients on managing their health post-recovery.
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Shore Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “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.”
Additionally, Shore Medical Center received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. This initiative ensures that hospitalized patients with Type 2 diabetes receive updated evidence-based care during stroke incidents.
The hospital also meets specific scientific criteria as a Primary Stroke Center with a multidisciplinary team focused on rapid diagnosis and treatment for emergency department admissions.
