Baptist Health is nationally recognized for providing high-quality stroke care

Baptist Health has once again been recognized for its outstanding stroke care by the American Heart Association (AHA). Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Baptist Medical Center Nassau and Baptist Medical Center South received the American Heart Association's GoldPlusGet With The Guidelines^® -- Stroke Quality Achievement Award for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized research-based guidelines.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked or bursts. Without the blood or oxygen they need, brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times. Access to the type of stroke care offered at Baptist Health helps patients receive the timely care they need.

Each year, Get With The Guidelines participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients.

"Every day, our teams put proven knowledge and processes to work, providing the latest research- and evidence-based case to patients. Their care and dedication to preventing and treating strokes helps ensure more people in the Jacksonville region can experience longer, healthier lives," said Michael A. Mayo, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO of Baptist Health.

"The Baptist Health team is dedicated to providing excellence in stroke care to our patients. Every day, we offer our community the highest level of treatment for those suffering a stroke so they may have their best life going forward," said Ricardo Hanel, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon and co-medical director of the Baptist Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center.

With cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art facilities, Baptist Jacksonville's Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center is the regional epicenter for advanced diagnostics and treatments for strokes, brain aneurysms and other cerebrovascular conditions. The Joint Commission Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center offers patients dedicated facilities for neurological care, including a Neurointensive Care Unit, a dedicated Neurosurgical operating room and interventional radiology suite with specially trained staff and the latest technology, and a specialized area in the emergency department designed for stroke, brain aneurysms and other neurological emergencies. This dedicated area was the first of its kind in Florida. In addition, all other Baptist Health hospitals and satellite emergency centers are recognized by the Joint Commission as stroke centers. This expert stroke care is also available to patients throughout the Jacksonville area and beyond via the Tele-stroke network, which virtually connects physicians and health care professionals from 14 sites within a 160-mile radius of Baptist Jacksonville.

In addition to the GoldPlusGet With The Guidelines^® -- Stroke Quality Achievement Award, AHA recognized Baptist Health's hospitals for other achievements, including:

• Baptist Jacksonville received the American Heart Association's Target: Stroke^SM Honor Roll Elite Plus and Advanced Therapy awards (the highest award level) by meeting specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient's arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke.

• Baptist South received the Target: Stroke^SM Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient's arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster alteplase.

• All four hospitals received the AHA's Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. This award aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.