HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital nationally recognized for stroke care
HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. These quality achievements underscore the hospital team’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. Following these guidelines ultimately leads to more lives saved and reduced disability. The hospital is also a Comprehensive Stroke Center, with the capability to rapidly diagnose and treat stroke patients arriving in the emergency department.
Stroke is the fifth leading 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 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. Detecting and treating stroke early is the key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.
“Our team is committed to improving patient care by following to the latest treatment guidelines. As the only Comprehensive Stroke Center in the County, we are proud to be recognized by the American Heart Association. This commitment means we are dedicated in helping our patients recover faster and live longer and healthier lives,” said Chief Medical Officer George Ruggiero, DO, of HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital.
Additionally, Fawcett Hospital received the American Heart Association’s Target: StrokeSM Elite Plus 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 thrombolytic therapy.
The hospital also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award. This means patients with previously undiagnosed type two diabetes, who were diagnosed during their hospital stay, and might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care. These patients are also referred for follow up care after they leave the hospital to reduce the risk of further complications.