July 27, 2023 – HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, a 447-bed facility, and part of HCA Florida Healthcare, the largest healthcare system in the state, is pleased to announce that it has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its 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.
Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. 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. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times. 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.
“HCA Florida Kendall Hospital is leading the way in stroke care and improving patient care by following the latest treatment guidelines.” Ben Harris, Chief Executive Officer. “Get With The Guidelines is a clear guide that our teams use every day to ensure our patients are receiving the best stroke care and are recovering faster. Our goal is to make sure our patients are experiencing healthier and longer lives because of our care.”
Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing 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.
HCA Florida Kendall Hospital also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster alteplase.
In addition, HCA Florida Kendall Hospital received the American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke Advanced Therapy Honor Roll award by meeting specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke.
HCA Florida Kendall Hospital also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
About HCA Florida Kendall Hospital
As a 24/7 acute care facility, Kendall Hospital is one of only two adult Level 1 Trauma Centers in Miami-Dade County verified by the American College of Surgeons. Kendall Hospital boasts a network of over 750 physicians’ specialties. Kendall Hospital is ranked by Healthgrades in the Top 100 Best Hospitals in America for Critical Care, Prostate Surgery, Gastroenterology, Orthopedic Surgery and Stroke Care.
HCA Florida Kendall Hospital is a part of HCA Florida Healthcare, the leading provider of healthcare in the state of Florida. With an employee base of 77,000, HCA Florida Healthcare’s comprehensive network includes 49 hospital campuses and more than 450 other care sites.
