Continuing its mission to become fully stroke accredited, the Bear Valley Community Health Care District (BVCHD) was just awarded the “Get with the Guidelines Quality Achievement Award,” by the American Heart Association.
This is a prestigious honor that acknowledges commitment to following the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve patient outcomes for stroke.
“We are proud to receive this national recognition from the American Heart Association,” said District CEO Evan Rayner. “This award is a testament to the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and staff who are committed to delivering consistent, life-saving care for patients experiencing stoke symptoms.”
This achievement reflects Bear Valley Community Hospital’s dedication to providing high-quality cardiovascular care and ensuring patients receive the most effective treatments aligned with the latest scientific research. The Gold status is awarded to hospitals that demonstrate sustained performance and adherence to the AHA’s rigorous clinical benchmarks for at least 24 consecutive months.
The Get With The Guidelines® program is designed to help healthcare teams align their practices with the latest evidence-based guidelines for treating stroke. Hospitals receiving this recognition must meet or exceed specific quality achievement measures, such as timely administration of clot-busting medications, and patient education on managing stroke risk factors.
In the United States, a stroke occurs approximately every 40 seconds. According to the American Heart Association, stroke is the 5th leading cause of death and number one cause of disability nationwide, while the organization also notes that up to 80% of strokes may be prevented.
“Participation in Get With The Guidelines® is associated with better patient outcomes, fewer hospital readmissions, and improved quality of life,” Kerri Jex, the hospital’s chief nursing officer. “I’m extremely proud of our staff and providers for how hard they’ve worked to achieve this designation.”
Prior to the AHA announcement the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency officially designated BVCHD a stroke receiving center.