Mercy Health Earns National Recognition for High Quality Stroke Care

American Heart Association Recognizes Hospitals for Ensuring Life-Saving Care for Patients.

Mercy Health is proud to be recognized once again by the American Heart Association for our commitment to delivering the highest standard of stroke care in the region. Their recognition honors our commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability. 

Stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability nationwide. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability, and accelerating recovery times.
 
For the fourth consecutive year, Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get with The Guidelines®-Stroke Quality Achievement Award. The hospital earned the Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll award for reducing the time between a stroke patient’s arrival and treatment with thrombolytic therapy.
 
Meanwhile, Mercy Health – Urbana Hospital received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Rural Recognition Gold award. People who live in rural communities live an average of three years fewer than urban counterparts and have a 40% higher likelihood of developing heart disease and face a 30% increased risk for stroke mortality — a gap that has grown over the past two decades. This award is proof Mercy Health is working to change that, making efforts to optimize stroke care and eliminate rural health care outcome disparities.
 
“At Mercy Health, we’re committed to delivering the highest quality stroke care by consistently applying the latest, evidence-based treatment guidelines across all of our facilities,” said Chase Collins, Director of Neurosciences for Mercy Health - Springfield. “The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines program equips our teams to turn clinical research into real-world outcomes every day — outcomes that help our patients recover faster and live longer, healthier lives. Being recognized again this year reflects our ongoing dedication to improving stroke care for the communities we serve.”
 
Get With the Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.
 
 
Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.
 
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center and Mercy Health – Urbana Hospital for their commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”
 
With strokes, every minute matters. The quicker care is delivered, the better the potential short- and long-term outcomes. Learn more about the stroke care we offer at Mercy Health by visiting mercy.com.
 
###
 
Mercy Health – Springfield is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country. The ministry’s quality, compassionate care is provided by more than 60,000 associates serving communities in Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia, as well as throughout Ireland.  Mercy Health – Springfield, which includes Springfield Regional Medical Center and Urbana Hospital, has a mission to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. Mercy Health – Springfield is a comprehensive, regional health care system, known for quality, innovation, compassionate service, and a caring culture. With two hospitals and numerous physician offices and care locations, Mercy Health ensures easy access to safe, effective, timely and cost-efficient care for every stage of life through a network of hospitals, nursing homes and retirement communities as well as rehabilitation and outreach services. To learn more, visit mercy.com.
 
About Get With The Guidelines®
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 14 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.
​