Frederick Health Receives Five Awards from the American Heart Association

Heart and Torch with American Heart Association text.  l  https://www.heart.org/en  l  copyright American Heart Association

Frederick Health has been presented with five nationally recognized awards from the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association by implementing specific quality care improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association. These awards are given for excellent service in treating heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes:

• Mission: Lifeline® Receiving Center Gold STEMI Award
• Mission Lifeline® Receiving Center Gold NSTEMI Award
• Get with the Guidelines: Stroke Gold Plus Award
• Target: Stroke Honor Roll ELITE Award
• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Award

The Mission: Lifeline program’s goal is to reduce system barriers to prompt quick, reliable, treatment for heart attacks. Every year, more than 250,000 people experience a STEMI, the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. From the initial 9-1-1 call through discharge, Frederick Health’s approach to comprehensive patient care follows protocols from the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines.

“Frederick Health is dedicated to providing optimal care for heart attack patients in Frederick County,” said Kristen Fletcher, MS, MHA, Director of Cardiac Services. “We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in cardiac care through Mission: Lifeline.”

Get With The Guidelines-Stroke was developed to assist healthcare professionals to provide the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines for treating stroke patients. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and speeding recovery times. Frederick Health met specific scientific guidelines as a Primary Stroke Center, featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients.

“Frederick Health is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to helping our patients have the best possible chance of survival after a stroke,” said April Fogle MHA, BSN, RN, LSSGB, Stroke Program Coordinator. “Get With The Guidelines-Stroke makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis to improve outcomes for stroke patients.” continued Fogle.

“We are pleased to recognize Frederick Health for their commitment to stroke care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

“Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement initiative can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”

Diabetes affects millions of Americans. That is why the detection and treatment of this condition are so vitally important to the community. Frederick Health was recognized for developing quality measures with more than 90% of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.”

Timing is everything. Without the support of our partners at the Frederick County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and across the healthcare system, offering exceptional care would not be possible. As such, Frederick Health would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to the entire team. These awards represent the many ways Frederick Health continues to enhance its services to provide quality care for all members of our community.