La Crosse receives national stroke award for fifth consecutive year
LA CROSSE, Wis. — Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse has received the Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for the fifth consecutive year. It is the highest award available from the Get With the Guidelines program from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.
"We're committed to providing stroke care that aligns with the latest research-based treatment guidelines," says Bridget Servais, a nurse and stroke coordinator for Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse. "Studies show patients can recover better when these guidelines are consistently followed. The care our patients receive is our No. 1 priority. That's why we're proud to be among the hospitals recognized for performance in the Get With The Guidelines program of the American Heart Association."
Hospitals receiving the award have reached an aggressive goal of treating patients with 85% or higher compliance to core standard levels of care for two consecutive years as outlined by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. In addition, those hospitals have demonstrated 75% compliance to 4 of 7 stroke quality measures in a year.
"A stroke occurs when there's bleeding into your brain or when blood flow to your brain is blocked. Within minutes of being deprived of essential nutrients, brain cells start dying," Servais explains. "If you notice someone having a stroke, seek immediate medical assistance. The sooner treatment is given, the more likely it is that damage can be minimized."
Signs and symptoms of a stroke include:
- Trouble speaking or understanding
- Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- A sudden, severe headache
If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately.
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Rick Thiessee-mail: thiesse.ricky@mayo.edu
phone: 608-392-9425