Falmouth Hospital honored nationally for stroke care

Hospital receives the "Get with the Guidelines" Gold Performance Achievement Award

Cape Cod Healthcare is pleased to announce that Falmouth Hospital has received the “Get With the Guidelines” Gold Performance Achievement Award from the American Stroke Association for its strict adherence to practices that best treat and prevent this devastating condition. The hospital is one of just 175 around the country to receive the award this year, out of 1,580 eligible hospitals nationwide.

“The American Stroke Association commends Falmouth Hospital for its success in implementing standards of care and protocols,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., vice-chair of the national “Get With the Guidelines” Steering Committee.

“We are delighted that Falmouth Hospital has been recognized for its exceptional care given to stroke patients and their families,” said Cape Cod Healthcare President and CEO Richard Salluzzo, M.D., MBA. “Stroke patients who come to Falmouth Hospital, as well as Cape Cod Hospital, can be assured they are receiving the latest and best treatment.”

The award acknowledges the hospital for maintaining at least 85 percent over a consecutive 24-month period on certain measures, such as aggressive and appropriate use of medications like the clot-busting drug, tPA, antithrombotics and anticoalgulation therapy, as well as DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol-reducing drugs and educational efforts.

Falmouth Hospital Stroke Nurse Coordinator Jean Estes said the hospital adhered to 100 percent of the measures from January 2007 to January 2009, and the success is still ongoing. She credited Stroke Program Director Michael Leahy, M.D., for his leadership, and praised the entire stroke team at the hospital – the Emergency Department, cardiologists, neurologists, hospitalists, imaging, physical therapy and nurses on the medical floors.

GWTG–Stroke uses the “teachable moment,” the time soon after a patient has had a stroke, when they are most likely to listen to and follow their healthcare professionals’ guidance. Studies demonstrate that patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a second stroke. Through GWTG–Stroke, customized patient education materials are made available at the point of discharge, based on patients’ individual risk profiles. The take-away materials are written in an easy-to-understand format and are available in English and Spanish. In addition, the GWTG Patient Management Tool provides access to up-to-date cardiovascular and stroke science at the point of care.

According to the American Stroke Association, each year approximately 700,000 people suffer a stroke — 500,000 are first attacks and 200,000 are recurrent attacks. Of stroke survivors, 21 percent of men and 24 percent of women die within a year, and for those aged 65 and older, the percentage is even higher.

“All of the healthcare professionals at Falmouth Hospital are dedicated to following stroke protocols and providing the best care possible,” said Susan Wing, Chief Operating Officer, Falmouth Hospital. “This national recognition from the American Stroke Association means our patients and their families should feel very confident as well.”

Release courtesy of Cape Cod Healthcare.

Falmouth Hospital is a partner within Cape Cod Healthcare, a comprehensive, regional healthcare system spanning the entire Cape. Cape Cod Healthcare is the leading provider of healthcare services for residents and visitors of Cape Cod. With more than 450 physicians, 4,500 employees and 1,100 volunteers, Cape Cod Healthcare has two-acute care hospitals, the largest home health services agency on the Cape (VNA), a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, an assisted living facility and numerous health programs. For more information, visit Cape Cod Healthcare’s web site at www.capecodhealth.org.

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