September 11, 2024- Intermountain Medical Center in Murray is the recipient of the American Heart Association’s 2024 Get with the Guideline Stroke GoldPlus quality achievement award for providing stroke patients with the highest level of care that is saving lives and reducing disability.
Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, strokes were the sixth leading cause of death in 2020.
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability, and accelerating recovery times.
The Get With the Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. This program helps improve stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.
The Intermountain Health team of specialists has developed protocols that shorten the amount of time it takes to diagnose and treat a stroke. This is important because a quick diagnosis and treatment can mean less long-term damage, less disability, and better overall outcomes.