Baptist Health’s commitment to stroke care receives national recognition

The American Heart Association has once again recognized Baptist Health for its commitment to providing high-quality stroke care. Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, Baptist Medical Center South and Baptist Medical Center Nassau received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke quality achievement award.

In order to receive this annual designation, Get With The Guidelines participants must demonstrate consistent adherence to the American Heart Association’s guidelines, which are grounded on the latest scientific research.

Strokes are the No. 5 cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association. On average, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, which occurs when the vessels supplying blood to the brain rupture or become blocked. Robbed of oxygen and nutrients found in this blood supply, brain cells begin to die. Early detection of a stroke and prompt treatment are essential to improving survival rates, minimizing long-term disabilities and speeding up recovery times.

“We have long been a regional leader in the treatment of stroke and cerebrovascular conditions and are proud to be recognized once again for our achievements in this area,” said Michael A. Mayo, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “This award attests to the continued dedication of our team members, who collaborate across the health system to make sure our patients receive the highest level of care.”

Training is a critical component of the ever-evolving health care industry. “From the emergency departments to the stroke units including the neuro ICU, we ensure our physicians, nurses and other team members receive the most up-to-date training so we can maintain clinical excellence across the system,” said Tammy Daniel, DNP, RN, BSN, NEA-BC, MA, senior vice president and chief nursing officer of Baptist Health.

Baptist Jacksonville’s Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center is the regional epicenter for advanced diagnostics and treatments for strokes, brain aneurysms and other cerebrovascular conditions in both adults and children. The multi-disciplinary teams of neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuro-intensivists, advanced care practitioners and specialized nursing staff have access to cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art facilities, which helps them to provide live-saving care to residents of north Florida and south Georgia.

The center, which has been certified by The Joint Commission, has dedicated facilities for neurological care, including a Neurointensive Care Unit, a dedicated Neurosurgical operating room and interventional radiology suite.

“Every minute matters in the diagnosis and treatment of strokes,” said Ricardo Hanel, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon and co-medical director of the Baptist Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center. “We never stop working to improve our processes and reduce our door-to-treatment times so that we can ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.” Another key aspect of Baptist Health’s comprehensive stroke program is the Tele-stroke network. Patients can receive expert stroke care through virtual connections to physicians and health care professionals from 14 sites within a 160-mile radius of Baptist Jacksonville. Baptist Health’s hospitals received the following American Heart Association awards:

Baptist Jacksonville:

• Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award. This honor signifies that the hospital has both met the Association’s core levels of care and complied with additional quality measures for at least two consecutive years.
• Target: Type 2 Diabetes℠ Honor Roll award. This honor aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who may be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
• Target: Stroke℠ Honor Roll Elite Plus and Advanced Therapy awards. These honors signify that the hospital has met specific criteria that reduces the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke.

Baptist South:

• Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold quality achievement award. This signifies that Baptist South has met the Association’s core levels of care for at least two consecutive years.
• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award

Baptist Nassau:

• Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award.
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll award. This distinction signifies that the hospital has met specific criteria that reduces the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and receiving treatment with the clot-buster alteplase.