On Feb. 8, 2007, Johns Hopkins Bayview, along with two other hospitals, received an award at the International Stroke Conference for performance achievements related to Get With the Guidelines (GWTG)-Stroke. The award honored hospitals that have reached a level of 85 percent or better compliance with the seven American Heart Association/American Stroke Association performance indicators for a period of 90 consecutive days. GWTG-Stroke is an in-hospital program to improve acute stroke treatment and prevent future strokes and cardiovascular events. GWTG-Stroke focuses on quick diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients through primary stroke centers. It also involves care-team protocols once patients are admitted to ensure that they are treated and discharged appropriately. The program is based on recommendations developed by the American Stroke Association, American Heart Association and the Brain Attack Coalition for acute stroke management, primary prevention of cardiovacular diseases, secondary prevention of stroke and the establishment of primary stroke centers. Hospital teams focus on implementing discharge protocols that address smoking cessation, blood pressure treatment, exercise, weight management, diabetes management, the use of aspirin or other medications, and alcohol and drug abuse management, among other potentially lifesaving therapies. The seven patient-treatment guidelines with which Johns Hopkins Bayview achieved greater than 85 percent compliance include: TPA considered for acute stroke, treated with aspirin in 48 hours, discharged on antithrombotic medications, afib patients with TIA/stroke given warfarin if no contraindication, DVT prophalaxis, TIA/stroke patients with LDL >100 discharged on statin, smoking cessation addressed. Congratulations to everyone whose hard work made this significant accomplishment possible. |
