GHS Recognized for Excellence in Stroke Care

Granville Health System (GHS) recently received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With the Guidelines Target: Stroke Honor Roll Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

In 2018, the GHS Emergency Department met certain stroke-related goals and metrics in order to receive the Silver Plus recognition.

  • Dysphagia screening
  • Stroke education
  • Rehabilitation considered
  • LDL documented
  • Intensive statin therapy
  • IV rt-PA 3.5 hours (arrived by 3.5 hours treated by 4.5 hours)
  • NIHSS reported

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the US suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 800,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

“I was certainly proud to represent GHS in receiving the recognition,” said Director of Emergency Services Danika Davis, MSN, RN, CCRN, CEN. “But our greatest reward is caring for our patients. That’s why we’ve committed to achieving the best patient outcomes with the Get with the Guidelines program through the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.”

The Stroke Achievement Award was achieved when GHS met 100% of the measures below (goal is 85%):

  • IV rt-PA arrive by 2 hour, treat by 3 hour: Percent of acute ischemic stroke patients who arrive at the hospital within 120 minutes (2 hours) of time last known well and for whom IV t-PA was initiated at this hospital within 180 minutes (3 hours) of time last known well. Corresponding measure available for inpatient stroke cases.
  • Early antithrombotics: Percent of patients with ischemic stroke or TIA who receive antithrombotic therapy by the end of hospital day two. Corresponding measures available for observation status only & inpatient stroke cases.
  • VTE prophylaxis: Percent of patients with ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or stroke not otherwise specified who receive VTE prophylaxis the day of or the day after hospital admission.
  • Antithrombotics: Percent of patients with an ischemic stroke or TIA prescribed antithrombotic therapy at discharge. Corresponding measures available for observation status only & inpatient stroke cases.
  • Anticoagulation for AFib/Aflutter: Percent of patients with an ischemic stroke or TIA with atrial fibrillation/flutter discharged on anticoagulation therapy. Corresponding measures available for observation status only as well as inpatient stroke cases.
  • Smoking cessation: Percent of patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, or TIA with a history of smoking cigarettes, who are, or whose caregivers are, given smoking cessation advice or counseling during hospital stay. Corresponding measures available for observation status only & inpatient stroke cases.
  • Statin prescribed at discharge: Percent of ischemic stroke or TIA patients who are discharged on statin medication. Corresponding measures available for observation status only as well as inpatient stroke cases.

“We are pleased to be recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for the care provided to stroke patients as they seek care in the Emergency Department,” said John F. Snow, Granville Health System CEO. “I’m very thankful for our valued staff and providers who competently provide exceptional care to our patients. The award recognizes the health system’s commitment to provide appropriate and excellent emergency and medical care in Granville County.”

About Granville Health System

For more than 99 years, Granville Health System has been delivering quality health care close to home. To meet the growing needs of its community, Granville Health System has expanded its services throughout Granville County, offering convenient access to medical care where its citizens work and live. The GHS main campus is located at 1010 College Street, Oxford, North Carolina. For more information about Granville Health System visit GHS online at ghsHospital.org.

For the past 100 years, Granville Health System has been delivering quality health care close to home. To meet the growing needs of our community, Granville Health System has expanded its services throughout Granville County, offering convenient access to medical care where you work and live.