TRHMC Recognized for Quality Stroke and Heart Failure Care

Friday, July 23, 2010

The Reading Hospital and Medical Center has been recognized for achievement in using evidence-based guidelines to provide the best possible care to patients through The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® program.

TRHMC and 814 other hospitals are featured in a special advertisement in the “America’s Best Hospitals” issue of US News & World Report (August issue) to commemorate their receipt of Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award in stroke treatment and the Gold Performance Achievement Award in heart failure treatment. A total of 961 awards were given for achievement in coronary artery disease, stroke, and/or heart failure treatment.

Hospitals recognized in each category achieve at least 85 percent compliance to Get With The Guidelines measures. Those achieving 85 percent compliance for 24 consecutive months receive the Gold Performance Achievement Award, with the Silver Performance Achievement Award going to those with 85 percent compliance for 12 consecutive months. Special recognition is also given for those hospitals achieving 85 percent compliance in two or all three categories and/or for being in 75 percent compliance with heart failure and/or stroke measures.

Get With The Guidelines is a hospital-based quality-improvement program designed to ensure that hospitals consistently care for cardiac and stroke patients following the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations. The program addresses coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke. Currently more than 1,400 hospitals participate in the program. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s advertisement recognizes TRHMC’s commitment and success in performance achievement.