MemorialCare’s Long Beach Medical Center and Saddleback Medical Center received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for the hospitals’ commitment to delivering stroke treatment aligned with nationally recognized, research-based guidelines—ultimately saving more lives and reducing disability. In addition, Long Beach Medical Center was honored with the Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure Gold Plus quality achievement award for its dedication to improving outcomes for heart failure patients, resulting in fewer readmissions and more healthy days at home.
“MemorialCare is committed to improving patient care by not just adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and protocols set by the AHA, but also striving to constantly improve upon them. Through the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines initiative, our teams are empowered to apply proven knowledge every day—helping patients recover better and live longer, healthier lives. Our mission is to ensure our communities experience the best possible outcomes.”
- Eugene Kim, M.D., chief medical officer, MemorialCare
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.
In addition, Long Beach Medical Center received the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, Advanced Therapy, Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, and Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll Optimal. Saddleback Medical Center received the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. These recognitions recognize both institutions’ dedication to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart failure and stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize MemorialCare’s Long Beach Medical Center and Saddleback Medical Center for their commitment to caring for patients with stroke. 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.”
- Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Both Long Beach Medical Center and Saddleback Medical Center also meet the rigorous standards required to be designated as Comprehensive Stroke Centers, featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.
Each year, program participants qualify for these awards by demonstrating their commitment to providing high-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.