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Six Lehigh Valley Health Network hospitals are recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA)’s Get With The Guidelines program for 2024.
Lehigh Valley Health Network Hospitals Recognized for Stroke Care
Six hospitals earn Get With The Guidelines® designations from the American Heart Association
“Being recognized for stroke care by the American Heart Association shows our community members they are in good hands. It shows that we will provide fast, high-quality care when it's needed most.” - Yevgeniy Isayev, MD
Hospitals that receive this award demonstrate a commitment to making continuous improvements and using advanced, research-based guidelines to provide high-quality stroke care. This includes being prepared to treat stroke cases quickly, effectively and at any time of day. This ultimately saves more lives, leads to shorter recovery times for patients and fewer readmissions to the hospital.
“A stroke can happen at any time, so being prepared to act quickly can make a big difference in a patient’s recovery,” says Yevgeniy Isayev, MD, Medical Director of Stroke Centers at LVH–Cedar Crest and LVH–Muhlenberg. “Being recognized for stroke care by the American Heart Association shows our community members they are in good hands. It shows that we will provide fast, high-quality care when it's needed most.”
Along with following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also provide patients with education to help them manage health and recovery at home.
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize LVHN for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, MD, Volunteer Chairperson, American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group, Professor of Neurology and Director of Fellowships of Neurology, The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “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.”
This year, the following LVHN hospitals received these achievement awards:
LVH–Cedar Crest
Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus
Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll
Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
Target: Stroke Advanced Therapy Honor Roll
LVH–Muhlenberg
Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus
Target: Stroke Honor Roll
Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
LVH–Schuylkill
Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus
Target: Stroke Honor Roll
Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
LVH–Hazleton
Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus
Target: Stroke Honor Roll
Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
LVH–Pocono
Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus
Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll
Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
LVH–Hecktown Oaks
Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Silver Plus
Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
This year marks the first time LVH–Hecktown Oaks received Get With The Guidelines recognition from AHA.
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is 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. Studies show when clinicians consistently follow treatment guidelines patients have better recoveries.
Excellent stroke care across the region
LVH–Cedar Crest is a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. This means there are designated stroke facilities that provide around-the-clock care to patients. There is also a neuroscience intensive care unit and a rehabilitation unit, giving patients access to the full continuum of care from emergency care to meeting needs for post stroke recovery all in one location. The facilities are staffed by a team of doctors, nurses and health care specialists who receive extra training to treat the most complicated stroke cases.
LVH–Muhlenberg, LVH–Hazleton, LVH–Schuylkill and LVH–Pocono are all certified Primary Stroke Centers by The Joint Commission. A Primary Stroke Center is a hospital that has developed special procedures to rapidly diagnose and treat a stroke emergency.
LVH–Hecktown Oaks is acute stroke ready. Hospitals that receive this certification meet The Joint Commission’s strict standards for providing standardized care and use evidence-based guidelines.
All certified hospitals must provide 24/7 stroke care, and specialists must be trained to administer medication to treat stroke emergencies.
