In 2024, both Charlton Memorial Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital were recipients of the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines^® – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. Tobey Hospital received the Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award.

“I want to extend my gratitude to the entire stroke team, our emergency department teams, and our clinical partners across the system for making this achievement possible. This recognition is a testament of their commitment to providing our patients and community with the best care,” said Daniel Sacchetti, DO, Stroke Director and Chief of Neurology at Southcoast Health. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to adhere to current guidelines and implement evidence-based treatments on a daily basis to ensure optimal outcomes for stroke patients. Our primary goal is to ensure more people in the South Coast region can experience longer, healthier lives.”

These awards from the Association recognize Southcoast Health’s 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.

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. 

“We are proud that across the South Coast region, our community now has access to efficient stroke care with the right medications, right assessments and right interventions in the right place,” said Dani Hackner, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Southcoast Health. “Receiving these awards highlights the dedication of our teams to providing the highest standard of care to our patients.”

Locally, Charlton Memorial and St. Luke’s hospitals were also recognized by The Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program for a door-to-needle achievement in 60 minutes or less and within 4.5 hours of last known well (LKW) – the time between a stroke patient arriving in the emergency room and the start of treatment with a clot-blasting medication for at least 90% of stroke patients.

Tobey Hospital was recognized by the same program for their National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) screening being greater than or equal to 95%. This measurement helps the medical team assess the severity of a stroke,

According to the CDC, stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States. 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. Knowing the warning signs and symptoms of stroke can help you act fast and even save a life.

May is Stroke Awareness Month, to learn more about stroke care and education at Southcoast Health please visit, Stroke Care Services.