HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors 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. This achievement recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring patients experiencing stroke receive timely and appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. This ultimately helps save lives and reduce disability. The hospital is an advanced primary stroke center, with a comprehensive system for rapidly diagnosing and treating stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked by a clot or ruptures, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching brain tissue. When this happens, brain cells begin to die. Early detection and rapid treatment are critical to improving survival, minimizing disability and supporting faster recovery.
“Our team is committed to following to the latest treatment guidelines. We put this into practice every day in our emergency rooms in Sarasota, HCA Florida Braden River Emergency in Lakewood Ranch and HCA Florida Venice Doctors Emergency. Research shows this supports better recovery and ultimately helps people live longer, healthier lives,” said Joe Rudisill, CEO of HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital.
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. In addition to following clinical treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines hospitals also provide education to help people manage their recovery and ongoing health at home.
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 referred for follow up care after they leave the hospital to reduce the risk of further complications as well.