Essentia hospitals receive awards for expert stroke care

At Essentia Health, we understand the critical importance of timely and effective responses to stroke cases. Early detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times for stroke, which is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States.

That’s why Essentia was thrilled to be recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) for our commitment to providing expert stroke care. Essentia Health-Fargo, St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd and St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth all received the AHA’s Get With The Guidelines® — Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for their dedication to ensuring stroke patients get the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

Additionally, St. Joseph’s Medical Center earned the Get With The Guidelines® — Rural Stroke Gold award and St. Mary’s Hospital-Superior earned the Get With The Guidelines® — Rural Stroke Bronze award for their efforts to optimize stroke care and eliminate health care outcome disparities in rural communities, where residents face a 30% increased risk for stroke mortality.

“Essentia believes strongly in relying on evidence-based best practices and adhering to the most up-to-date treatment guidelines,” said Dr. Gratia Pitcher, Essentia’s chief medical officer. “The end goal is to ensure more of the patients we’re honored to serve can experience longer, healthier lives — regardless of where they live.”

Essentia Health-Fargo, St. Joseph’s Medical Center and St. Mary’s Medical Center also received accolades from the AHA for ensuring patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, get the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

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 — hence the saying “time is brain.”

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Essentia Health for its 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.”

Visit the Essentia Health website to learn more about our award-winning stroke care.